Beginning of Iran-Europe Nuclear Cooperation in This Calendar Year

Iran and Europe announced the launch of a joint project titled "Enhancing the Capabilities of Iran's Nuclear Safety Center" with financial support from the European Union this calendar year. According to a report on Sunday, April 29, by IRNA, this statement was released following a meeting between Arias Cañete, the European Union's Energy Commissioner, and Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, in Tehran. The statement indicated that the INRA project is part of the implementation of actions outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and is on the agenda of the European Commission and Iran's Atomic Energy Organization. The joint activities mentioned in this statement include areas of "nuclear safety," "radiation protection," and "preparedness and response in radiation emergency situations." "Management of waste and spent fuel research and development" and "non-power applications of nuclear energy" are other areas of cooperation between Iran and Europe referenced in this statement. "Conducting resilience tests for nuclear power plants," "feasibility of establishing a nuclear safety center in Iran," and "support for the Nuclear Safety System Center (INRA)" are also listed as joint collaborations in this statement. The statement further noted the "provision of training and education for nuclear safety specialists" and "assistance and cooperation in the development of activities" as other focal points of nuclear cooperation between Iran and the European Union. According to this statement, the Islamic Republic is expected to respond to the idea of participation in the Euroatom fission and fusion program by October 2016. The statement also emphasized support and exchange of experiences regarding Iran's accession to international legal documents and conventions. Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, stated that this cooperation would be conducted "based on the third chapter of the JCPOA" and could begin from the Fordow site, especially in the laboratory sector. Arias Cañete, the EU Energy Commissioner, visited Iran yesterday along with Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, and six other commissioners. The joint cooperation statement between Iran and the EU is one of the outcomes of this visit, and Iranian officials have expressed hope that these collaborations will expand in the future across various fields.