The Commonwealth of Independent States has approved a draft memorandum to establish an association of nuclear regulators and scientific associations for CIS countries, the Belarusian energy ministry said.

The association will promote cooperation related to the regulation of nuclear and radiation safety in CIS countries and provide support for improving regulatory systems and legislation, the ministry said. It will strengthen links between scientific and technical support organisations.

Belarus’s deputy energy minister Mikhail Mihadyuk said the initiative is especially important for newcomer countries that are implementing their first nuclear power programmes.