MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) – About 20 international observers will arrive in Belarus to watch the forthcoming national radiation accident response exercise, BelTA learned from Dmitry Mironchik, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the source, Belarus' invitation has been accepted by the IAEA and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The CSTO member states will send their diplomats as observers. Representatives of the relevant government agencies from Latvia and Poland will also arrive in Minsk.
Dmitry Mironchik underlined that by staging the exercise, Belarus acts in strict compliance with recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, bearing in mind that safety is the top priority in implementing the national nuclear energy program. “I am confident that the exercise will be helpful for implementing the first national nuclear energy project. The presence of international observers during the exercise will reemphasize our professional approach and transparency,” said the spokesman of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BelTA reported earlier that the forthcoming radiation accident response exercise deliberately relies on a virtually impossible scenario. Scheduled for 18-19 October, the exercise is designed to test the readiness of the national rapid response system and adapt the national plan for protecting the population and territories from emergencies. A number of other matters will be looked at closely, including interaction with neighboring countries and international organizations. Assets of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry and other government agencies will be involved in the exercise.
