Rosenergoatom official welcomes IAEA decision not to discuss demilitarized zone around Zaporozhye NPP

ROSTOV-ON-DON. March 23 (Interfax) - The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) decision not to discuss the establishment of a demilitarized zone around the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) shows the wisdom of the agency's leadership, advisor to the Rosenergoatom head Renat Karchaa said in an interview with Interfax.

"Thank God, the demilitarization has finally been removed from the agenda. But it's been removed by the IAEA. We believed and are continuing to believe in the wisdom of this institution's leader and members," Karchaa said.

The demilitarization requirement was being forced upon Russia to weaken its positions, "which would inevitably worsen risks related to nuclear security," he said.

Russia has never refused and is not refusing to set up a safety and security area around the ZNPP, he said.

"In this regard, we support the IAEA's initiatives, but without any association with the demilitarization subject. We see the demilitarization subject as something incomprehensible, provocative, and absolutely not conducive to a constructive search for solutions related to nuclear security," Karchaa said.