Increased efforts against nuclear terrorism

“Norway will ratify the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism”, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg told the Nuclear Safety Summit in Seoul today.

The Government will later this year propose changes in the country’s penal code, securing that Norway will meet all requirements of the Convention.

The Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism will imply enhanced international cooperation in order to prevent, investigate and prosecute unauthorised possession and use of nuclear material. The purpose is to prevent terrorist groups from having access to nuclear arms and nuclear material.

“Nuclear terrorism is one of the major threats of our time. Terrorist know no borders, and may cause irreparable damage with only small amounts of nuclear material. The world must unite to meet this challenge. We must prevent such material from falling into the wrong hands”, Stoltenberg said.

The Nuclear Safety Summit in Seoul has brought together heads of state and government from a total of 53 countries, the UN, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Interpol and the EU.

In his statement to the summit, Prime Minister Stoltenberg drew attention to the successful cooperation between Norway and Russian in the field of nuclear security and safety over the past 20 years.

“We have removed large quantities of radioactive waste and nuclear material in north-western Russia. This has enhanced nuclear security and safety in both countries”, Stoltenberg said.

In his statement the Prime Minister also announced an additional grant to IAEA’s efforts to enhance nuclear security in developing countries.

 “The use of nuclear power is expected to increase in the years ahead. It is important that this takes place in accordance with internationally recognised security and safety standards”, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said in Seoul.

• The Prime Minister's statement to the summit