Statement by Ms. Eve-Külli Kala, Estonian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency

55th General Conference of the IAEA, Vienna, September 2011

Mr President,

On behalf of the Estonian delegation, I would like to join the previous speakers in congratulating you on your election as President of the 55th General Conference. I would like to assure you of our full support in your efforts to make this conference a success.

Furthermore, allow me to use this opportunity to welcome the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Kingdom of Tonga as new members of the Agency.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year we witnessed the tragic accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, caused by the disastrous earthquake and tsunami. We were deeply touched by the consequences of the disaster and the Government and people of Japan can continuously rely on our sympathy and support.

The accident at Fukushima has been a wake-up call for the global nuclear regime and nuclear industry. It underscores that even in a country with a high level development of nuclear technology and safety standards, the risk of a serious accident remains and cannot be underestimated. In that light the Director General's initiative in June that laid basis for the Action Plan to improve the nuclear safety worldwide, taking account the lessons learned at Fukushima, is highly evaluated.

Estonia wants to reiterate and emphasise its support for all measures leading to a higher standard of security both nationally and internationally. We call upon all states to ensure the safety of nuclear installations, to assess their safety regularly and systematically, and to make the results of the stress tests public as operatively as possible.

Mr President,

As we see, even after the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the share of nuclear energy in global energy production continues to grow which was so rightly pointed out by DG Amano in his opening statement. Even more so, as many states will not give up nuclear energy to meet targets of reducing green house gas emissions.

In Estonia, we are looking for ways to diversify our energy portfolio. We also view nuclear energy as one possible source of emission-free energy. However, further analysis is required before we make our final decision on whether to participate in regional nuclear projects or to build our own nuclear power plant.

Nonetheless, even a country without nuclear energy, like Estonia, has certainly learned from this year’s accident at the Fukushima power plant.

So what are the lessons that we Estonians have learned?

First of all, we believe that competencies of national regulatory bodies must be increased and independence ensured. And these considerations cannot apply merely to countries with existing nuclear power plants; it has also to apply to those who are planning to embark them.

Ensuring a swift exchange of information during nuclear incidents is of utmost importance to countries with or without nuclear energy. An unfortunate nuclear accident in a neighbouring state asks for effectively functioning direct contacts with neighbouring national regulatory body. If not, it is a serious problem. That is why Estonia sees the IAEA to have a central role in information sharing.

An exchange of information is necessary in ordinary circumstances too. This importantly includes, for example, keeping neighbouring authorities timely informed when planning a nuclear power plant in one’s country.

Mr President,

In addition to these lessons learned, we would like to emphasise that although each country has the right to nuclear energy, it also has the responsibility to pursue this end safely. That also includes preserving nuclear security and meeting non-proliferation concerns.

In recent years, the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials has become a priority issue. We welcome the IAEA’s work in strengthening nuclear security worldwide, particularly through the Nuclear Security Fund. For this reason, Estonia is, once again, glad to be able to contribute to the Fund, despite the ongoing financial restrictions. I can assure you that we will continue to do so.

Mr President,

Technical cooperation with the Agency is highly valued by Estonia. We have been regularly contributing to the Technical Cooperation Fund always in full and always on time. Estonia's cooperation with the Agency has been excellent and mainly focused on public health services. With the assistance of the Agency, the North Estonia Medical Centre has lately purchased a very much awaited linear accelerator that helps to improve the access of cancer patients to the treatment needed.

Finally, Mr President,

The Agency has been working for more than five decades to help mankind enjoy the benefits of nuclear energy while at the same time minimizing the associated risks. Let me express our appreciation and pay tribute to the unique role of the IAEA in promoting peaceful use of nuclear energy and call upon all of us to support the IAEA in these ongoing efforts.

I thank you for your attention.