The United Arab Emirates has warned of the dangerous situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, stressing that the bombing exposes the world to the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident. She stressed the importance of the IAEA having full and unhindered access to the site, in order to assess the damage and ensure the safety of the facility, welcoming the parties’ support for such a task, and urging its speedy implementation.
disaster warning
The Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, said during his delivery of the statement of the UAE delegation to the Security Council on the item entitled “Threats to international peace and security”, that the situation around the “Zaporgia” nuclear power plant is very alarming, stressing that this bombing near From the station it puts Ukraine, the wider region, and the entire world at risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident.
“This brings back to our memory the Chernobyl disaster,” he said. The world cannot afford a scenario that might lead to another catastrophe like this.” He stated that nuclear safety is an important and priority issue for the UAE, which remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities around the world, including by working with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and by participating in the Agency’s Board of Governors.
Dialogue to find a solution
Al-Kaabi reiterated the importance of refraining from any action that would further endanger the facility, especially given the unstable and tense situation, and the importance of the special protection granted to nuclear plants under international law.
He said: “It is necessary to call for a constructive dialogue to reach a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. The only way to stop the suffering this conflict brings and prevent its consequences, including the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident, is through a cessation of hostilities throughout Ukraine, and we members of the Council must act to implement its mandate, taking gradual and practical steps to support diplomatic efforts made to end this conflict.”
parallel reality
At the UN Security Council, Kyiv and Moscow once more accused each other of endangering the safety of the Zaporizhia nuclear plant.
The Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, said: “Ukrainian armed forces continue almost daily to bombard the territory of the nuclear power plant, creating a real danger of a radiological accident with serious consequences for the entire European continent.” Nebenzia, who requested this session, added that Westerners should stop covering up their Ukrainian protégé. “We have the impression that our colleagues live in a parallel reality in which the Russian army is bombing the site that it is protecting itself,” he added.
wonder
Nebenzia was surprised when the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Rosemary Di Carlo, said that the electricity produced at the Zaporizhia nuclear plant belongs to Ukraine: “We have not heard such talk before in other similar major issues related to Russia and Syria, in reference to the frozen Russian financial assets in the West, Or with regard to Syrian oil, which is stolen by the US authorities, which illegally occupy part of the territory of Syria.
On the contrary
“No one can imagine that Ukraine would target a nuclear power plant, which would create a huge risk of a nuclear catastrophe on its territory,” Ukrainian Ambassador Sergey Kislitsya said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement that it would visit the Zaporizhia plant, within days, if the talks were successful in order to allow such a visit. (agencies)
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