Hungary is trying to show its capabilities in the field of nuclear energy because in a way it is a product that can be an important source of revenue for the country – said H.E. Mr. Balázs Csuday, Ambassador to United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Vienna, during a visit to Paks Nuclear Power Plant organized by the Permanent Mission for members of the IAEA.
Having the knowledge and skill to operate a nuclear power plant reliably for decades is something we can really proud of – he continued.
The IAEA is working towards introducing states new to the field of nuclear energy to Hungary’s capabilities. One significant step of this process is the fact that several dozen experts from Vietnam have already completed a training course in Hungary, and many more are expected to follow from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Thailand has also expressed interest. Ambassador Csuday recalled that the government of Hungary is actively looking to open up to eastern markets, to which such a cooperation may play a crucial role.
Among the visitors to the power plant were delegates from countries already utilizing nuclear energy as well as representatives from countries currently planning to do so. On Friday, representatives from Thailand, South Africa, China, Russia, Turkey, Libya, Turkey and Slovakia visited the National Radioactive Waste Repository in Bátaapáti, and on Saturday the Paks Nuclear Power Plant.
H.E. Mr. Xolisa Mabhongo, Ambassador of South Africa to the United Nations in Vienna stated that while South Africa operates nuclear power plants, they currently do not have a storage facility suitable for the low and intermediate level nuclear waste. In addition he praised Hungary’s efforts towards achieving high social acceptance of nuclear energy.