91998E3934

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3934/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Use of nuclear energy for the desalination of sea water in arid countries

At its last conference the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations body, proposed the urgent development of programmes for the desalination of sea water using small nuclear reactors.

At its last assembly in September it asked its Director to give priority to this option and to promote international cooperation in this field.

Can the Commission say what the European Union's position is on this subject, in particular the possibilities of cheap nuclear desalination in North Africa (Maghreb and Mashreq countries) in accordance with the study on the subject carried out by the IAEA?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1999)

For very many years the Commission has been monitoring the work carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the possible use of nuclear reactors for the desalination of sea water.

The Commission considers, moreover, that the use of the nuclear option requires high levels of expertise, experience and safety. It also demands high-level non-proliferation assurances and the existence of strong and independent safety authorities. Currently, these conditions do not all appear to have been met in the region referred to by the Honourable Member.