Statement by
H.E. Mrs. Mirjana Mladineo
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations
General Assembly
Sixty-second session
Item 87:
Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency
United Nations, New York
29 October 2007
Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Croatia has aligned itself with the statement made by the distinguished representative of Portugal on behalf of the European Union. I shall therefore limit my remarks to a few issues of particular interest to my country.
At the outset, let me stress that, following last year's election to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Governor of Croatia has been elected vice-chairman of the Board this September. This further confirms our readiness to play a constructive part in the IAEA activities. Moreover, it also demonstrates Croatia's appreciation of the Agency's unique contribution to peace, security and development in the world, at this difficult and critical time for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Let me also express Croatia's appreciation of the Agency's comprehensive annual report. Croatia fully supports its substance, and is again pleased to be among the co-sponsors of the draft resolution on the report.
Croatia commends the Agency for the successful continuation of its wide-ranging activities in the fields of technology, safety and verification. We particularly support efforts to continuously upgrade and develop the Agency's concepts and means to effectively address dangerous new trends in nuclear proliferation.
The Agency was established 50 years ago to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies. In this regard, Croatia reiterates that Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements together with the Additional Protocols constitute the current IAEA verification standard. Achieving the universal application of a strengthened safeguards system is an urgent priority, and the fact that more than 100 countries have yet to bring into force their additional protocols is a cause of great concern. At the same time, there is a parallel need to increase the IAEA verification resources to enable it to deal effectively with the growing verification demands.
Mr. President,
Croatia supports the IAEA activities in the area of strengthening national capacities in order to prevent proliferation and increase nuclear security. National measures should include improvement of export and import controls, strengthening of border control, reevaluation of legislative framework, more frequent exchanges of relevant information on national and international levels, and improvement of public awareness on the issue of proliferation.
Croatia signed and ratified the Additional Protocol, the amendment to Article VI of the IAEA Statute, and the amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. Croatia also supports the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, and the supplementary guidance on the import and export of radioactive sources.
One of the most beneficial aspects of successful cooperation between Croatia and the Agency has been within the framework of its Technical Cooperation Program, where the Agency supports five ongoing projects in Croatia, alongside donations and co-organization of workshops and seminars hosted by Croatia, addressing issues of non-proliferation, radiation protection and fight against trafficking and potential terrorism threats involving nuclear and radioactive material.
In that context, we are also pleased to have strengthened our role in the region, bearing in mind the importance of coordinated and effective regional measures for maximizing peaceful use of nuclear energy, and confronting the growing risks of proliferation and nuclear terrorism.
Mr. President,
As the role of the Agency continues to expand, the challenges facing it remain important and difficult. The Annual Report makes it perfectly clear. These challenges can be addressed only by partnering with its stakeholders: Member States, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, national counterparts and the public. Croatia pledges its unequivocal commitment to that partnership, along the path towards a sustainable non-proliferation and genuine “atoms for peace”.
Thank you.
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