Ukraine and Romania will deepen cooperation to ensure nuclear and energy security in the region. This was discussed at a meeting between Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko and Minister of Energy of Romania Sebastian Burduja in Paris. The meeting took place within the framework of the 1st High-Level Government – Industry Conference on Roadmaps to New Nuclear, organised by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
This is the first face-to-face meeting of the Ministers of Energy of Ukraine and Romania after Sebastain Burduja’s appointment.
The parties discussed areas of deepening cooperation that would strengthen the energy security of the region.
In this context, they stressed the importance of developing interconnectors and increasing the capacity of interstate crossings to increase the volume of electricity imports/exports between the countries.
The situation at the russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and the risks posed by russia to global nuclear safety by its military actions in Ukraine were also addressed during the meeting.
German Galushchenko stressed that after the de-occupation of ZNPP, Ukraine would need the support of international partners to inspect the plant and equipment, ensure their compliance with nuclear safety requirements and readiness for returning to operation.
“This is a unique situation, no country has ever faced how to ensure nuclear safety under occupation. It is critical that the best nuclear safety experts take part in this international mission, and Romania’s experience will be very useful for us,” he noted.
During the meeting, German Galushchenko emphasised the inadmissibility of a nuclear incident that might occur because of military actions of the russians in Ukraine and the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community to prevent it.
The minister invited his Romanian counterpart, as a newly appointed Minister, to join the High-Level International Energy Advisory Council under the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. Sebastian Burduja, in turn, agreed to the proposal and expressed readiness for constructive cooperation between the parties. (Government portal/Business World Magazine)