Moscow confirms readiness to assist in IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhya NPP

MOSCOW. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Moscow is ready to give the maximum assistance in organizing a possible visit to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant by an international mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The route and schedule of the IAEA international mission's travel to the Zaporizhzhya NPP were fully approved by Russia and heads of the IAEA Secretariat on June 3, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

"IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi planned to personally head the mission, which also includes prominent specialists from a number of countries. In the course of close interaction with the Agency, we managed to resolve all difficult problems related to the organization and accomplishment of the mission, which is so challenging under the current circumstances. Yet the UN Secretariat's Department of Safety and Security turned on the red light at the very last moment. The trip was thwarted," the ministry said.

"Hopefully, the UN secretary general realizes his full responsibility in this situation and will not hinder the IAEA mission via the Secretariat's department accountable to him or any other parts of the UN mechanism. For our part, we are ready to give the maximum possible assistance in dealing with every organizational issue," the ministry said.