IAEA head says he agreed on cooperation on nuclear safety separately with Russia, Ukraine

BRUSSELS. April 1 (Interfax) - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Friday that he had agreed upon a framework for cooperation on nuclear safety and security separately with Russia and Ukraine.

"I do have an agreed framework, but the difference is that we have agreed separately with Russia and Ukraine what we are going to do," Grossi said at a press conference upon the conclusion of his visit to Ukraine and Russia.

Grossi said he managed to secure an understanding that small teams of IAEA specialists would be present at Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

"There is another area, which of course is very important, which has to do with the physical presence of IAEA experts and inspection safeguards on site. We are not planning to have large numbers of people out there. We are discussing what kind of specialists, what kind of expertise may be needed," he said.

Details will depend on the particular facility, he said.

The IAEA will also provide Ukraine with equipment to guarantee the safety and security of its nuclear sites, which will be delivered to all of them, he said.

"I do hope to be able to deliver the equipment at every place where it is needed. Given the circumstances of different facilities, this may require different approaches. In the case of Chernobyl it's one thing, in the case of the other power plants [...] would require a different approach," Grossi said, adding that he did not expect that anything could obstruct these deliveries.

As reported earlier, Rosatom General Director Alexei Likhachyov reaffirmed Russia's commitment to key principles of security and its willingness to provide comprehensive support to the IAEA. The parties agreed to remain in touch.

Grossi arrived in Ukraine earlier this week for negotiations on security and safety of nuclear sites, after which he also had negotiations in Russia.