Following the meeting held at SRBATOM premises, SRBATOM representatives together with the IAEA representatives led by Mr Jing Zhang, Section Head in the Division for Europe and Central Asia (TCEU), Department of TC, had another meeting in the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

This meeting, attended by the Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic; Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovations, Jelena Begovic; State Secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Sandra Dokic; representatives of the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences and PC Nuclear Facilities of Serbia, was organized as an introduction to and the opening of the expert mission workshop with a view of cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, as well as the establishment of nuclear energy programme and the implementation of the projects in the Republic of Serbia that are supported by the IAEA.

The Minister Djedovic Handanovic by opening this workshop stated that the Republic of Serbia is considering the use of nuclear energy in the context of ensuring the long-term energy security, especially having in mind a gradual reduction in the use of fossil fuels and ever-increasing need for energy in the future.

She emphasized that our goal by 2030 is to have at least 45% of energy from renewable sources, and reminded of the Memorandum of understanding in the field of application of nuclear energy development in Serbia has recently been signed with the aim of gathering the experts in this field and opening a public debate on this topic.

The Minister said that our country is at the very onset of establishing the institutional and regulatory framework in this field, which is a basis for any consideration of the possibility to use nuclear energy in our country. “We are aware that this is a long process that takes at least 10 to 15 years and that it is important that each step is carried out in an efficient, quality and responsible manner, which is why any support from the International Atomic Energy Agency is very important”, concluded the Minister of Mining and Energy.

The Minister Jelena Begovic remarked that the projects realized through the IAEA support ensure valuable exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of nuclear energy, which is becoming more and more relevant in the field of combating climate changes and ensuring safe and sustainable energy supply. She also emphasized that in the past years the IAEA has established a close relationship with the partner institutions in Serbia, primarily through the Technical Cooperation Programme.

After the presentation, the Head of the IAEA expert mission, Mr Jing Zhang, emphasized that the IAEA does not influence decision-making process of its Member States regarding the implementation of the programme of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, the IAEA is always ready to provide support and assistance to the states choosing to implement such programme.

Following the meeting in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, SRBATOM representatives took our guest on a short sightseeing tour of our city when they had the opportunity to visit the biggest orthodox church of St Sava and the Museum of Nikola Tesla when and to learn about the importance of St Sava for the preservation of Serbian identity and about the life and works of one of the biggest Serbian scientists.