Presentation of the National Report under the Convention on Nuclear Safety in the framework of the fifth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties, Vienna, April 6, 2011

The national report of the Republic of Bulgaria was presented today to the review meeting under the CNS at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna. The Contracting Parties noted the following safety achievements: no safety significant events have happened at Kozloduy NPP after the last Review Meeting; a large scale modernization program has been implemented at the Kozloduy NPP Units 5-6. Actions are planned for long term operation, in accordance with the internationally recognized operational experience; and Level 1 and Level 2 PSA are being updated for the Kozloduy NPP units.

As main challenges in front of the Bulgarian Nuclear Sector were specified as follows: preparation for long term operation of Kozloduy units 5&6; approval of the design and authorization of the construction of Belene NPP; and the improvement of the regulatory practices, through the implementation of the regulatory guides development and updating program
As good practices were highlighted the requirements set out in the Nuclear Act for periodic self-assessments of the national framework and international peer reviews; the large international cooperation in review of new design in an open transparent manner; and the externally supported Cooperation Programme to address safety culture and emergency preparedness.
Bulgaria was commended by the contracting parties for the additionally presented measures taken on national level in response to the Fukushima accident.
Bulgaria was congratulated for the thorough presentation of the report as well as for the answers to the posted questions. The countries, participating in the discussions, gave a high-grade to our country with regard to the fulfilment of the requirements ensuing from the CNS.