Damascus, SANA- Rafael Mariano Grossi,Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ,affirmed that the new Syrian government is committed to openness to the world and international cooperation.
“Syria will grant inspectors immediate access to suspected former nuclear sites.” In an interview with the Associated Press from Damascus following his meeting with President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Grossi said.
He noted that the agency’s goal is to “clarify some of the activities that took place in the past, which it believes may have been related to nuclear weapons.” He expressed his hope that the inspection process will be completed within months.
Grossi said that “President al-Sharaa has expressed his interest in Syria obtaining nuclear energy in the future,” and said that “President al-Sharaa has shown a very positive attitude toward talking with us and allowing us to carry out the activities we need.”
He explained that international inspectors intend to return to the Deir Ezzor reactor, in addition to three other relevant sites, saying: “Although there are no indications of radioactive emissions from the sites, the agency is concerned that enriched uranium may be present somewhere and could be reused, smuggled, or trafficked.”
Grossi revealed that the IAEA is also prepared to transfer equipment for nuclear medicine and help rebuild the radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and oncology.
He also stated that Syria will likely consider building small nuclear reactors, which are less expensive and easier to install than large conventional reactors.
MHD Ibrahim
