Brussels, 06/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a decision to the Council comprising a planned brief to negotiate a cooperation agreement between Euratom and China in the civilian nuclear energy sector.
The agreement being proposed by the Commission would have an initial 30-year duration, as is already the case for agreements between Euratom and the United States and Australia, as well as the one being negotiated with Japan. The agreement with Canada had an initial duration of 10 years but has been in force for 40. Other than aspects linked to nuclear non-proliferation, it should cover many aspects of research and development: - fission; - controlled thermonuclear fission; - new types of reactors; - nuclear security; - waste transport and management; - uses for medical and agricultural purposes. Cooperation being envisaged by the Commission could also comprise; - the decommissioning, decontamination and the dismantling of installations; - regulatory and operational aspects of radiological protection and waste management, as well as nuclear guarantees.
China, that would like to increase its electricity production capacity of nuclear origin, has marked its interest for such an agreement. The development of nuclear energy could contribute in reducing the emissions from the current thermal plants. EUROPE recalls that, with 14% of CO2 emissions, China is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases, just behind the United States (22%). Cooperation in the field of new reactors (the subject is on the 5th Research Framework-Programme: Ed.) is also important for the two partners. The Commission should be able to count on broad support from Member States of the EU, especially four countries (France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium) which already have bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with China.