Russian, European Experts To Discuss Depleted Nuclear Fuel Problems In Russia's North-West

Specific projects to deal with depleted nuclear fuel in Russia will be discussed in Sweden November 6-8 in the course of a regular meeting between Russian and European experts. The meeting will be held in the city of Oskarshamn at the level of the Contact Expert Group (CEG) established on the initiative of the North European countries in 1995. Valery Lebedev, deputy energy minister of Russia, taking part in the meeting, told RIA Novosti that over the years of its existence the group has been considering developing the concept to deal with depleted nuclear fuel, the problem of waste utilisation, primarily from nuclear submarines in Russia's north-west and in the Pacific Ocean. Established six years ago the Contact Expert Group comprises experts from Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Great Britain, Germany, the USA and the European Commission. The Group meets twice a year and works within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Touching upon issues of participation in project financing Lebedev pointed to the most active role of Norway.