OREANDA-NEWS. October 27, 2011. The Russian Federation Government made a decision to join the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/NEA).

On October 20, 2011 First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation A.I. Denisov notified OECD Secretary General A. Gurria on the made decision. Thus, the formalization process of Russia’s membership in this international organization started.

The Russian application will be reviewed by the OECD/NEA Steering Committee. The next step will be a mission of the Agency headed by Director General L. Echavarri to Russia in January 2012 to familiarize with the work of Russian nuclear industry organizations, Rostechnadzor and the Russian Academy of Sciences. It will result in a report on a potential science and technology contribution of Russia to the OECD/NEA activities. Basing on this report, in April 2012 the OECD Board will decide on Russia’s ascension to the Agency.

Activities of the OECD/NEA aimed solving specific tasks associated with enhancement of safety of nuclear power facilitate strengthening of the trust in nuclear power and improvement of the international legal basis. Russia’s participation in the work of the Agency will facilitate solving these tasks.