EUROPEAN UNION 7th June 2013 PRESS PRES S RRELEASE ELEASE EU team of experts on Nuclear Safety and Security

visits Tanzania
On 7 June, representatives of the European Union met with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to debrief on the results of a fact finding mission to Tanzania from the European Commission. This mission, dealing with cooperation in nuclear safety, security and safeguards of uranium-mining, was initiated after the visit of Minister Muhongo to the European Union in Brussels from 12-13 April 2013. The mission was composed of experts from the Directorate General for Development and Cooperation and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission responsible for the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation. The EU mission highlighted that the licensing process for uranium mining should be made according to the international standards published by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This will be key to guarantee the safe uranium mining operation. The licensing process relies on the role of the Regulatory Authorities that shall guarantee an independent review of the safety and security provisions linked to each step of the process, from exploration to remediation, including the transport. The existing Tanzanian regulation copes with many aspects of international safety standards and it is felt that there is room for harmonization and clear definition of roles and responsibilities of each concerned organizations. The envisioned cooperation with the EU will target also the strengthening of the ownership of the uranium mining process by Tanzania both in the short term and in the medium term. Key areas identified for further collaboration between EU and Tanzania could focus on need for supporting the additional permits for U-mining operations, capacity building, training and tutoring, transport and support to the regulatory authority. The EU intends to assist developing the existing capabilities such as available in TAEC (Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission), and to promote at the same time a regional dimension of the cooperation and the engagement with local universities. The EU Mission was also able to listen to the observations of a variety of NGOs expressing their concern about the uranium mining. The EU believes that transparency and communication are good practices in all phases of implementation. The EU Ambassador Mr Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, who accompanied the mission to debrief the Minister of Energy and Minerals said "As part of the growing partnership between the European Union and Tanzania on Energy matters, this mission on Nuclear Safety and Security is very welcome. We wish to help Tanzania to deal with uranium mining and more generally with nuclear issues, in full respect of the international standards and with guarantee of safety and security for both the concerned populations and the environment. The strong experience acquired by the European Commission in dealing with Nuclear Safety in central and eastern Europe will be of great help for our Tanzanian partners". BACKGROUND This Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation finances measures to support a higher level of nuclear safety, radiation protection and the application of efficient and effective safeguards of nuclear materials in third countries. The Joint Research Centre is the scientific and technical arm of the European Commission, which provide the scientific advice and technical know-how to support a wide range of EU policies. In the area of nuclear activities, the JRC contributes to nuclear security in area of safeguards, non-proliferation and the fight against illicit activities involving nuclear and radiological material.

For more information contact:

Tom Vens, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section, Delegation of the European Union to the United Republic of Tanzania Tom.VENS@eeas.europa.eu