An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts completed a nuclear security advisory mission in Switzerland on Friday, upon a request from the country.
'The team observed that the nuclear security regime in Switzerland is well-established and incorporates the fundamental principles of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its amendment,' the statement read.
The team also provided recommendations to support Switzerland in further enhancing and sustaining nuclear security.
'By hosting this International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission, Switzerland has underlined its strong commitment to enhance its nuclear security regime,' Muhammad Khaliq, head of the IAEA's Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section was quoted as saying.
'This commitment is also demonstrated in the country's support for the IAEA's nuclear security work, for example through the active participation of Swiss experts in training events, advisory missions and in work to develop the IAEA Nuclear Security Series.'
As part of the review, the team also visited the Beznau, Leibstadt and Gosgen nuclear power plants.
The team, led by Tapani Hack, section head for Nuclear Security at Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, included seven other experts from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and the IAEA.
'The fundamental objective of nuclear security is to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Switzerland supports international peer reviews as an effective means of continuous improvement, and we were glad to host the current IPPAS mission,' Hans Wanner, director general of Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) said.
'We appreciated the informed discussions and experience exchange with the expert team. We commit ourselves to implement the recommendations received in due course.'
By Huseyin Erdogan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr