site.btaSub-Regional Meeting of Nuclear Security Support Centres Kicks Off in Sofia

Sharing good practices is the main objective of a technical meeting in Sofia on cooperation among the members of the Consortium Sub-Regional Group of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres (NSSC Network). The November 24-27 meeting has been organized by the Nuclear Security Support Centre at the University of National and World Economy in the Bulgarian capital with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The event has brought together representatives of national nuclear security support centres in Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Romania, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Valentin Velev, a state expert at the International Cooperation Directorate of Bulgaria's Nuclear Regulatory Agency, told BTA that the meeting is also intended to promote interaction among the countries of the sub-region in strengthening security of nuclear facilities.

The event will be opened by Quillan Rose, Nuclear Security Officer (NSSC), Division of Nuclear Security, IAEA. She will present regional guidelines and activities for ensuring nuclear security. Foreign participants will give presentations on various topics. Hungary, in particular, will focus on the current state of nuclear security. The same topic will also be addressed by the representative of Kazakhstan.

Lithuania is represented by Zygimantas Kalpokas from the Nuclear Security Centre of Excellence. Romania will cover border security by the gendarmerie and will give a presentation on the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.

Velev noted that this is one of a series of meetings hosted on a rotational basis.