Turkey is working towards aligning with European standards and implementing practices for the safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel, according to Turkey's energy and natural resources statement on Tuesday.
The country is cooperating with France as one of the leading EU countries to ensure best practices for the safe and sustainable use of nuclear energy and the management of radioactive waste.
Under the EU Twinning Light Project entitled Assistance for Development of Legislative and Organizational Framework for Management of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Generated in Turkey, the country increased its administrative and technical capacity for the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste in line with European standards.
According to the statement, the project activities started with a seminar on European standards on spent fuel and radioactive waste management and their implementation in France.
The legislative documents from the European Commission and France were translated into Turkish and incorporated in the relevant Turkish draft legislation. In addition, twenty Turkish nuclear experts paid technical visits to radioactive waste management facilities and nuclear power plants in France.
"The sections of the draft nuclear energy law related to spent fuel and radioactive waste management were reviewed based on European standards. Finally, the draft organizational structure and human resource development plan for the future radioactive waste management authority was prepared," the statement read.
The draft law also refers to the preparation of a national program for management of existing and future radioactive waste in Turkey.
"The know-how provided by French experts will assist Turkey in defining and implementing a long-term and sustainable spent fuel and radioactive waste management policy and strategy," the statement underlined.
Under this project, the French National Waste Management Agency, acting as the mandated body on behalf of France, provided assistance to Turkey on the safe and sustainable management of radioactive waste.
The closing event for the project, which was co-funded by the EU and Turkey with a total budget of €211,580, was held at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey on Nov. 10, 2016.
(Anadolu Agency)
