Proposals for multiannual programmes in the energy and nuclear safety sectors
The European Commission has adopted two proposals concerning the adoption of programmes relating to the energy sector in general and nuclear safety. These two programmes would form part of the Energy Framework Programme, the Commission's proposals for which are currently under discussion within the Parliament and Council. This aims to bring all the EU's various energy programmes together within an integrated structure with common aims. A multiannual programme of studies, analyses, forecasts and other related works in the energy sector (1998-2002) follows up the Commission's 1995 White Paper, "An energy policy for the European Union" which proposed a new approach to the monitoring of energy trends based on cooperation with the Member States. The proposed programme, to be known as the ETAP programme, would have the following objectives: - To establish at Community level, a shared approach to studies, analyses, forecasts and other related work in the energy sector; - To promote analysis of energy markets and policies both at European and national levels; - To analyse and evaluate energy and environment questions on a global scale, particularly in relation to climate change; - To help identify and transfer the best analysis methods and practices; - To develop an active policy for the dissemination of the results obtained. A second multiannual programme relating to the safe transport of radioactive materials has also been proposed. It would also cover safeguards and industrial cooperation, promoting certain aspects of the safety of nuclear installations in countries currently participating in the TACIS programme (1998-2002). The SURE programme would have the following objectives, relating to the safe transport of radioactive materials: - Facilitate the functioning of the internal market by identifying harmonisation measures; - Help improve legislation by developing experimentation and know-how; - Evaluate technical aspects of incidents which have occurred during transport, and learn lessons for the future; - Make emergency procedures relating to transport more consistent and provide more training for those involved; - Cooperate with countries participating in the TACIS programme to help them improve transport safety in these countries; - Improve public information, comprehension and awareness in this area. Concerning safeguards in TACIS countries (the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union, and Mongolia), the following objectives are outlined: - Training, familiarisation, testing, retraining and technological upgrading of experts from those countries in the matter of nuclear safeguards; - Cooperation on the implementation of accounting and control systems for nuclear materials; - Installation of modern logistical, evaluation and control equipment and related training. Both the ETAP and SURE programmes would be open to participation by the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and Cyprus.