President of Finland and IAEA director hold virtual meeting to discuss about Nuclear energy

The director General of IAEA (International atomic energy agency) Rafael Mariano Grossi and the president of Finland Sauli Niinistö hold virtual meeting to discuss the use of Nuclear energy in support of climate change goals.

One of the main topics discussed was about nuclear verification and possibilities for cooperation in nuclear safety projects in the arctic.

The President of Finland tweeted “Finland and the IAEA have a common interest in nuclear safety and security, and in arms control and non-proliferation, both globally and in the Arctic region.”

President and Mr. Grossi discussed strengthening cooperation between IAEA and Finland, the upcoming Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and nuclear verification in Iran, including the implementation of the JCPOA agreement.

Mr. Grossi also met Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, Director General of Finland’s Radiation Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Petteri Tiippana and Director General of the Energy Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment Riku Huttunen.

Liisa Heikinheimo, Deputy Director General of the Energy Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment said

“Finland is grateful for all the IAEA support, such as the peer review services it has benefited from and will continue to benefit from in the coming years,”

“Finland also thanks the IAEA for all the activities it has been running to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic, fortunately, during the pandemic Finland has kept operating its nuclear power plant units.”

One third of Finland’s electricity comes from nuclear power, once the new Nuclear reactors which is currently in the final stage of construction comes into operation, It is excepted that there will be a rise over 40% by next year.

Rafael Mariano Grossi , The director General of IAEA said

“Nuclear energy is part of the solution of many of the problems we have in the world, including the need for energy and the need to effectively tackle the climate change crisis.”