Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta met with Deputy Director General of the IAEA Ms Karin Herviou

On June 26, in Vienna, a meeting took place between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Igor Sekreta met with Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ms Karin Herviou.

The IAEA is a international organisation whose main goal is to promote the expansion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy while ensuring reliable safeguards that prevent its use for nuclear weapons.

Within its mandate, the IAEA monitors states' compliance with nuclear non-proliferation obligations, conducts inspections at nuclear facilities, provides technical assistance, and promotes the development of peaceful nuclear technologies. Another important area of its work is ensuring nuclear and radiation safety.

Belarus cooperates with the IAEA across almost the entire spectrum of the Agency’s activities. The main forms of cooperation include expert missions, seminars and training courses in Belarus, as well as participation in the technical cooperation programme.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on key areas of cooperation and discussed the international situation, including the escalating conflict in the Middle East and its impact on the IAEA’s work.

The Deputy Minister expressed deep concern about the ongoing military escalation between Israel and Iran, emphasizing the need for a coordinated international response to prevent further spread of the conflict and potential nuclear risks.

Igor Sekreta and Karin Ervieu discussed efforts to ensure nuclear safety at national and regional levels and acknowledged with satisfaction the high level of cooperation achieved in recent years between Belarus and the Agency.

The Belarusian diplomat thanked the IAEA for its support in strengthening the nuclear and radiation safety framework, particularly in the context of the commissioning of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant.

The Deputy Director General noted Belarus’s responsible and transparent approach in actively engaging with the Agency’s assessment and advisory missions to address issues arising during the construction of the Belarusian NPP.

The parties discussed prospects for further cooperation and expert support from the IAEA, including the preparation for the IAEA Education and Training Appraisal (EduTA) Mission planned for November 2025, and an Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) Mission scheduled for 2026.

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