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Statement by Denmark at IAEA Board of Governors on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards

When 14.09.2023

Thank you Chair

 

  1. Denmark is fully aligned with the EU statement delivered yesterday.

     

  2. For a year now, the IAEA has been present at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, at the request of the rightful Ukrainian authorities. We are grateful for and fully supportive of the Agency’s efforts to help ensure nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. A nuclear accident would not only have grave consequences in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, but would also have severe global repercussions.

     

  3. Let us be clear: these risks result from Russia’s illegal seizure of the plant and from its unjustified war of aggression on a sovereign neighbouring country. These are the reasons that all seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict continue to be compromised. These are the reasons for the highly precarious situation reported by the Director General.

     

  4. Therefore, the way to end the current threat to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine is quite straightforward: Russia must comply with international law and the calls of this Board and reverse its invasion by fully withdrawing its forces, other personnel and all military equipment from the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the entire territory of Ukraine thereby ending its illegal war.


    Chair

     

  5. The Director General has repeatedly stressed the need for full and timely IAEA access to all locations at the Plant. We are concerned that the IAEA experts have not been allowed to access certain reactor rooftops or turbine halls, preventing the IAEA from fully assessing, at one time, the possible presence of items in contravention of the five principles the DG established in May. We strongly support the calls for the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission team to be enabled to carry out its functions unhindered. This is the basis for the valuable information that the IAEA provides to the international community.

     

  6. We look forward to the Director General continuing to keep the Board of Governors informed of the situation and of the IAEA’s continuous observations.

     

  7. Let me once again express our gratitude and support both to the personnel in Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, especially the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, who work under such enormous pressure, and to the IAEA teams who support them on the ground. We also thank the IAEA for its safeguards work in accordance with the established plans and welcome the finding that there are no indications that would give rise to proliferation concerns.

     

  8. After listening yesterday to a very long statement, I cannot end without reiterating my country’s full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

Thank you, Chair