Belarus took the decision to liquidate all their stocks of highly enriched uranium by 2012. This was stated by Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov at a meeting with the U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton, held on December 1 in the framework of the OSCE summit in Astana. In turn, Clinton pledged that the U.S. is ready to provide Belarus with technical and financial assistance for this project.
«I want to publicly thank Belarus for the decision to renounce possession of stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. This is a very significant and important step, taken by Belarus,» Hillary Clinton said.
However, Sergei Martynov said the decision to eliminate stockpiles of highly enriched uranium is «another real proof of a consistent and responsible policy of Belarus in the field of nuclear non-proliferation,» BelTA informs.
The U.S. State Secretary, in turn, stressed that she expected the Belarusian delegation to visit the summit on nuclear safety in 2012 in order «to express approval and the completion of this important case.»
The U.S. Supports Belarusian Plans to Build Nuclear Power Plants
Hillary Clinton also stated that the U.S. supports the intention of Belarus to build the country’s first nuclear power for civil purposes. «U.S. support these activities, including the controversial process of designing and building secure and safe station, acting in accordance with IAEA safeguards. U.S. support Belarus’ efforts to possibly accelerate realization of this commercial project,» Hillary Clinton said.
In addition, following a bilateral meeting the sides «pledged to strengthen global cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in accordance with international standards and other additional bilateral agreements to be concluded between the Republic of Belarus and the United States.»
