Iraq, EU sign MOU to dismantle nuclear facilities
Baghdad - 31-08-2010
Iraq’s ministry of science and technology signed on Sunday a memorandum of understanding with the European Union (EU) to dismantle nuclear facilities in the country and develop Iraqi scientists’ skills in this field. “Iraq’s agreement with the EU envisages the rehabilitation of Iraqi experts who have worked, directly or indirectly, in the country’s former nuclear program,” said Minister of Science and Technology Ra’id Fahmi in a press conference after signing the agreement. “The cooperation period – 36 months – focuses also on exchange of information and expertise between the two sides,” he added.
Fahmi said that the EU and Italy’s Insubria center, specialized in international nuclear safety, are to provide Iraq with the necessary equipment and train technicians in the field of dismantling the destroyed facilities of the former nuclear program in several sites in Iraq. “According to the new deal, the nuclear waste will be treated under certain controls and international monitoring. The process will include 10 sites all over Iraq, the largest of them is al-Tuwaytha complex southeast of Baghdad, which comprises 18 facilities,” he said. The minister expressed hope relevant international resolution on Iraq would be removed so that the country may re-use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in the fields of health, environment, agriculture and water treatment.
Agencies
