The major nuclear challenges in Northwest Russia are of military origin. The responsibility for the management of most of the nuclear legacy has shifted to the Ministry of Atomic Energy. But even today the decommissioned submarines and nuclear waste at several bases remain the direct responsibility of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

The Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation (AMEC) programme was developed to address challenges posed by Russia’s military nuclear waste legacy, the dismantling of nuclear submarines and to build confidence between the military establishments of the parties. The programme was launched in 1996 with the signing of a declaration by the Secretary of Defense of the United States and the Defence Ministers of Russia and Norway.

The initial rationale for our focus on nuclear safety issues was to protect the fragile Arctic environment and to allow a sustainable use of its resources. After September 11 we are no longer only faced with an environmental threat, but also with the threat posed by fissile material and nuclear waste under unauthorised control.

Terrorist attacks on spent nuclear fuel storage and transport are especially worrisome. But also unauthorised removal or dispersion of nuclear waste would cause concern. And it would be difficult to refute threats due to the limited inventory information on nuclear waste in storage.

AMEC has identified missing pieces in the spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste management system and has been developing appropriate technical solutions that meet international and new Russian standards. I will mention a few examples: a container that will allow safe transport and storage of spent nuclear fuel for up to 50 years; a mobile facility for sorting and compacting solid radioactive waste; a Russian certified solid radioactive waste container. This has had a very positive impact on the problems we are facing. Several of these project results can be used not only by the Russian Navy, but also by civilian agencies.

In addition to improved means for containment and shielding of nuclear materials we have provided instruments for material assay and inventory. This will allow the Russian Navy to obtain improved physical and administrative control over these materials. Material protection, control and accounting is one priority area on Senator Lugar’s "Top Ten" list. AMEC will continue to develop projects in this area.

Another area where Norway shares Senator Lugar’s priorities is the dismantlement of non-strategic submarines. A pilot dismantlement of a decommissioned non-strategic submarine is being discussed within AMEC. We recognise that the United States is presently limited to dismantling strategic submarines. Naturally, we welcome any change in the political and financial constraints that are currently in place. The non-strategic submarines need to be addressed as they pose a serious proliferation threat. In addition some are in danger of sinking with the spent fuel still onboard.

The enormous and acute nuclear challenges in Northwest Russia pertaining to the safe management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste require the support of several nations. Within AMEC we are continuing to develop a concerted multilateral effort to address these challenges by including other nations. Tying countries together within a framework such as AMEC will give us a common ground and enhance our capabilities to find solutions. The whole region and the countries participating in these efforts will benefit from such an approach.

The UK Ministry of Defence is a candidate for full membership in AMEC. This year three G8 nations will thus be members of the programme. Other countries can also participate in projects with technical assistance and financial contributions without joining as full members. Expanding our resource base will allow a cost effective implementation of project ideas that have already matured within AMEC.

I also see a great potential for participation of other G8 countries in our annual strategy discussions. These discussions sieve through several conceptual project proposals and develop a short list based on technical merit and national priorities. The next Technical Guidance Group meeting is scheduled for the week of May 19 in Norway and we would be happy to invite G8 representatives to this meeting.

The uniqueness of AMEC lies in the involvement of military organisations in the three countries. Being a military-to-military cooperation programme, AMEC is an important supplement to civilian programmes. Russia has developed two parallel systems for nuclear waste management, a civilian and a military system. Having access to both systems is the best way to find coordinated and overall solutions with limited resources. Without a compatible and synchronised civilian and military waste management effort, only partial solutions will be developed and existing Russian resources will not be utilised in the optimum way.

AMEC has achieved practical results on the ground in Russia. A considerable proportion of the funds have been channelled to Russian organisations and companies to perform the work. It has also has been instrumental in promoting contact and confidence building between the military parties involved through active communication between its program and project managers and at the annual strategic discussion forum.

Today AMEC has a fully staffed organisation. The organisation can be adapted to support the needs of other organisations and cooperative efforts. We will continue to coordinate our efforts with the CTR-programme. The results of AMEC can easily be applied to the nuclear challenges in the Pacific region of Russia where other cooperating countries have primary interests. AMEC may play a useful role within the NATO-Russia Council in implementing its working programme.

I am confident that AMEC can address a number of the remaining nuclear challenges in Russia. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence will therefore continue its commitment to AMEC. With the resources that have been committed under the G8 Global Partnership Programme, there is good reason to believe that this decade will see real improvement for the safety and security of the people of Russiaand the international community. AMEC is ready to offer all its results, experience and working relationships to this end.

In closing I want to underline the importance of continued public interest and political support for these efforts. It is only through openness and transparency concerning use of public funds that we can maintain that support.