Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri held meeting with high-level delegation from National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the US Department of Energy, working on non-proliferation of the nuclear weapons. Delegation was headed by David Huizenga - the Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) of National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The meeting was also attended by the US Ambassador Richard Norland.
Sides discussed capacities of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia in the field of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and radiation and reviewed US support programs; at the meeting sides underlined the results of effective cooperation of Georgian and American parties. In particular, as a result of cooperation between Georgia and the United States radiation control equipment was installed at all border crossing points as well as second line inspection devices; stationary equipment, including more than 100 units of portable monitors for detecting radiation, mobile detection technology as well as personal radiation detectors, devices for controlling radiation and radioactive isotope identification devices- 250 units in total.
The mentioned devices are aimed for detection of illegal traffic of nuclear and other radioactive materials and for making proper response. Specialists and instructors of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have undergone trainings. The draft decree of the Georgian government on radiation control at BCPs was elaborated and inter-agency competences were defined. In total, the program budget amounted to 40 million US dollars.
After the completion of the program, screening of 98% of the trans-border traffic will become available for detection of radioactive materials besides the nuclear and regulatory control.
Program continues cooperation with Georgia and mentioned partnership is extremely important for ensuring global nuclear security.
