STATEMENT

by the Delegation of Ukraine

on Agenda Item 87 of the 69^th session of the UN General Assembly

“Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency”

Mr. Chairman,

Ukraine supports activities of the IAEA in promoting the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We also positively view the IAEA’s activities in all main statutory areas: nuclear safety and security, nuclear science, technology and applications, safeguards and nuclear verification. The Agency contributes significantly to achievement of global development goals.

We acknowledge the central role of the Agency in strengthening the global nuclear safety framework, particular in the light of the accident at the Chornobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants. Ukraine considers important that the development and use of nuclear energy take place under the strict safety and security conditions.

Ukraine has a solid track-record of maintaining nuclear safety and nuclear security of its nuclear facilities. Presently, all NPPs operate in a regular mode. We fully comply with the obligations undertaken by the Convention on Nuclear Safety (NSC), which was recently proved by the results of the Sixth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Nuclear Safety Convention.

Mr. Chairman,

We reiterate our strong support for the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). Ukraine values its role in the responsible development of peaceful applications of nuclear technology in the areas of human health, food and agriculture, water management, strengthening nuclear and radiation safety. The TCP serves as a powerful tool for exchange of nuclear knowledge and capacity building in member states.

The IAEA regional and national technical cooperation projects have significantly contributed to nuclear safety and improving an overall effectiveness of peaceful use of nuclear energy in Ukraine. During 2014-2015 Ukraine will continue to work with the IAEA in such areas as radioactive waste management and nuclear power plant decommissioning, developing decontamination, recultivation and reconstruction infrastructure for existing uranium mines and former uranium production facilities, defining safety goals and regulatory strategies for nuclear power plants and strengthening of dosimetry laboratory for radiation therapy dosimetry.

Mr. Chairman,

The minimization of consequences of the Chornobyl accident, social and economic rehabilitation of contaminated territories constitutes the priority for the Government of Ukraine. The construction of a new safe confinement over the destroyed Unit 4 of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant is currently underway. This work, which we are planning to complete in 2015, will allow us to transform the Shelter Object into an environmentally and ecologically safe system.

We continue supporting ongoing regional projects for Europe within the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme aimed at supporting the return to normal radiological environment conditions for the territories affected by the Chernobyl accident and supporting decommissioning and waste management for the Chernobyl, Ignalina and A1 Nuclear Power Plants.

 

Mr. Chairman,

Nuclear security is an important integral part of the Agency’s activity. Ukraine commends the IAEA for its work aimed at assisting states, upon their request, in enhancing national nuclear and radioactive security regimes, improving physical protection of nuclear materials. We would like to emphasize the important role of the IAEA in fostering international cooperation in this field. Ukraine welcomes the adoption of the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan for 2014-2017.

Proceeding from the understanding that the responsibility for nuclear security rests with individual state, Ukraine wishes to underline that all nuclear facilities of Ukraine are operating in a regular mode. Additional effective measures were undertaken by the competent authorities of Ukraine to ensure their nuclear security, including reinforced physical protection of 15 power units in operation at 4 sites of Ukrainian NPPs.

 

Mr. Chairman,

Ukraine is fully committed to effective multilateral actions against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and attaches the utmost importance to universalization of the NPT. Ukraine reiterates a paramount importance of the IAEA safeguards in providing effective control over sensitive materials and activities. The Agency’s system of safeguards is a fundamental component of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. We believe that both Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol constitute the best verification standard. Universal adherence to both instruments strengthens the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Ukraine supports the efforts of the Agency to strengthen the effectiveness and to improve the efficiency of its safeguards system. We took note of the Report of the Director General «Supplementary document to the report on the conceptualization and development of safeguards implementation at the state level» and commend the work done by the Agency with the view of further supporting effective safeguards application and providing possibilities to fulfil new tasks related to the development of nuclear technologies.

Ukraine does not recognize illegitimately proclaimed «Republic of Crimea» and its illegal annexation by the Russian Federation as a constituent entity. Sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine were reiterated by the Resolution of the UN General Assembly «Territorial integrity of Ukraine» of 27^th March 2014 №68/262.

Illegal actions of the Russian Federation violated universally recognized principles and norms of the international law, Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, bilateral and multilateral treaties, which guarantee sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of Ukraine.

The Russian Federation flagrantly violated the security assurances it has provided, together with the United States and the United Kingdom, to Ukraine in the Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The on-going occupation of the part of the territory of Ukraine - the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, where nuclear facilities and material of Ukraine are located, undermines non-proliferation regime established by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to which Ukraine acceded as non-nuclear-weapon State by accepting, pursuant to Article III of the Treaty, safeguards defined in the Agreement between Ukraine and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards and Additional protocol.

In this connection, the Ukrainian Side emphasizes that:

- according to the Constitution of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On Securing the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens and the Legal Regime on the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine”: “Ukraine’s sovereignty extends throughout its entire territory, which is indivisible and inviolable within existing borders”;

- Ukraine retains jurisdiction over all nuclear facilities and materials, including the research reactor DR-100 and other nuclear facilities of the Sevastopol National University of Nuclear Energy and Industry, which are the property of Ukraine and presently are located on the temporarily occupied territory;

- provisions of the Agreement between Ukraine and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remain fully effective and apply to the nuclear facilities and materials in Ukraine, including those located on the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol;

- Ukraine supports the IAEA principled position on continuation of safeguard’s application to nuclear facilities and materials in Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law and the IAEA Statute, proceeding from the fact that the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is an integral part of Ukraine.

Let me underline that on the whole territory of Ukraine, including temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, it is prohibited to deploy nuclear weapons or divert nuclear materials and facilities of Ukraine, including the research reactor DR-100 and other nuclear facilities of the Sevastopol National University of Nuclear Energy and Industry,  for military purposes.  

Therefore, Ukraine urges the Russian Side to abstain from any actions connected with the violation of the nuclear-free status of the part of the territory of Ukraine, occupied by the Russian Federation, and possibilities of extension of the Agreement between the USSR and the Agency of 21 February 1985 as well as the Additional protocol thereto of 22 March 2000 to nuclear facilities and materials of Ukraine

Mr. Chairman,

Fukushima Daiichi accidentin 2011 has resulted in widespread concern about the safety of NPPs worldwide and triggered discussions about feasibility of nuclear energy as a source of power generation. We would like to reiterate that nuclear power will continue to be an important element of Ukraine’s energy strategy in mid- and long-term perspective. It will continue to serve as a basis for sustainable development of our national economy. Its growing importance has been reflected in the updated Energy Strategy of Ukraine till 2030.

In conclusion we would like to join other delegations in welcoming the IAEA report to the 69^th session of the UN General Assembly and express our appreciation for the work done by the Agency.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.