A comprehensive meeting agenda has been set. Both existing and new environmental projects will be discussed. Issues that will be explored are a possible expansion of the AMEC co-operation, and whether the United States will continue its participation after October 2002.

AMEC was established in 1996 by military authorities in Norway, Russia, and the United States. Administered by the three countries’ Ministries of Defence, the co-operation aims to strengthen the environmental security in the northern areas and enhance trust and contact between military authorities. Some 10 projects seek to prevent danger related to pollution from radioactive and conventional sources.

Norway is satisfied with the results achieved so far. For example, AMEC has funded the development of a prototype 40-ton container for transport and interim storage of spent nuclear fuel. The container, which is being produced in Russia, accelerates the dismantling process of Russian nuclear submarines. AMEC also works to enhance Russia’s capacity to handle both liquid and solid radioactive waste. In addition, a pad for interim storage of containers for spent nuclear fuel is being constructed in Murmansk. The pad will contribute to solving today’s problems of waste congestion.

AMEC involves Russia in a binding international environmental co-operation, and also ensures political, technical and financial commitment and support from the United States to the co-operation on nuclear safety in Northwest Russia. In many ways the environmental co-operation is an integrated part of the military co-operation between Norway, Russia, and the United States. The AMEC projects also contribute to reduce concerns regarding nuclear waste from military activity, and to ensure safety for people in the region.

A main challenge for the AMEC co-operation is the lack of a common agreement between Norway, Russia, and the United States. A tripartite agreement that provides a legal basis for project co-operation with Russia is an important prerequisite for the United States to be able to continue its involvement in AMEC. Until now Norway and the United States have used bilateral agreements to regulate the project co-operation with Russia. Continued American participation in the programme is important because the task of cleaning up nuclear waste is complex, voluminous and financially demanding. The United States has invaluable competence in the area.

Over the past year, work has been undertaken with the aim to expand the participation in AMEC. The goal is to reinforce the technical competence and the financing of the programme. The United Kingdom has expressed an interest in joining the co-operation.

To obtain further information, please contact Senior Adviser Ingjerd Kroken: mobile tel: 95 18 75 90 or acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence Rolf Kjos, tel: 23 09 21 11.