[Munich, 6-8, 1992 -- G7 Summit]

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[Summit Contents] [Contents of the Economic
Declaration]

Safety of Nuclear Power Plants in the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union and in Central and Eastern Europe

42. While we recognise the important role nuclear power plays in global energy supplies, the safety of Sovietdesign nuclear power plants gives cause for great concern. Each State, through its safety authorities and plant operators, is itself responsible for the safety of its nuclear power plants. The new States concerned of the former Soviet Union and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe must give high priority to eliminating this danger. These efforts should be part of a marketoriented reform of energy policies encouraging commercial financing for the development of the energy sector.

43. A special effort should be made to improve the safety of these plants. We offer the States concerned our support within the framework of a multilateral programme of action. We look to them to cooperate fully. We call upon other interested States to contribute as well.

44. The programme of action should comprise immediate measures in the following areas:

operational safety improvements;

nearterm technical improvements to plants based on safety assessments;

enhancing regulatory regimes.

Such measures can achieve early and significant safety gains.

45. In addition, the programme of action is to create the basis for longerterm safety improvements by the examination of:

the scope for replacing less safe plants by the development of alternative energy sources and the more efficient use of energy;

the potential for upgrading plants of more recent design.

Complementary to this, we will pursue the early completion of a convention on nuclear safety.

46. The programme of action should develop clear priorities, provide coherence to the measures and ensure their earliest implementation. To implement the immediate measures, the existing G-24 coordination mandate on nuclear safety should be extended to the new States concerned of the former Soviet Union and at the same time made more effective. We all are prepared to strengthen our bilateral assistance.

In addition, we support the setting up of a supplementary multilateral mechanism, as appropriate, to address immediate operational safety and technical safety improvement measures not covered by bilateral programmes. We invite the international community to contribute to the funding. The fund would take account of bilateral funding, be administered by a steering body of donors on the basis of consensus, and be coordinated with and assisted by the G-24 and the EBRD.

47. Decisions on upgrading nuclear power plants of more recent design will require prior clarification of issues concerning plant safety, energy policy, alternative energy sources and financing. To establish a suitable basis on which such decisions can be made, we consider the following measures necessary:

the necessary safety studies should be presented without delay;

together with the competent international organisations, in particular the IEA, the World Bank should prepare the required energy studies including replacement sources of energy and the cost implications. Based on these studies the World Bank and the EBRD should report as expeditiously as possible on potential financing requirements.

48. We shall review the progress made in this action programme at our meeting in 1993.

* * *

49. We take note of the representations that we received from various Heads of State or Government and organisations, and we will study them with interest.


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