Brussels, 11/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in cooperation with the European Commission, has reached agreement on arrangements for implementing “integrated safeguards” in all non-nuclear weapon states of the European Union with significant nuclear activities. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) charges the IAEA to verify that nuclear material is not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices through the application of “safeguards”. IAEA safeguards include comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols that enable the IAEA to conclude that all nuclear material has remained in peaceful activities in a state. Integrated Safeguards refers to the optimum combination of all safeguards measures available to the Agency under comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency in meeting the Agency's safeguards obligations. “Once we have sufficient confidence that a State's nuclear activities are purely peaceful, we can apply safeguards measures in a less prescriptive, more customised manner. This reduces the inspection burden on the state and the inspection effort of the IAEA, while enabling the IAEA to maintain the conclusion that all nuclear material has remained in peaceful activities,” said Olli Heinonen, Deputy Director General and Head of IAEA Safeguards Department. (O.L./transl.rt)