Dimasheq
The Head of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Mudhar Al-Akela, told Dimasheq that the Commission has taken a series of measures over the past two years aimed at addressing the root causes of the non-compliance decision issued in 2011, rather than merely addressing its manifestations.
Al-Akela explained that the Commission’s work has focused on two complementary tracks. The first involves technical clarification, through providing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with detailed information on past activities, reporting newly identified nuclear material, and allowing field verification at relevant sites, including the second site that Syria recently disclosed.
He noted that these measures provide the Agency with a more comprehensive information base, enabling it to verify the absence of undeclared nuclear material or activities outside the scope of the safeguards system.
The second track, according to Al-Akela, concerns institutional compliance. This includes updating national reporting procedures, strengthening the role of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission as the main technical point of contact with the Agency, and ensuring that any nuclear or radiological activity in Syria is subject, from its outset, to safeguards, nuclear security, and nuclear safety requirements.
Al-Akela said that this institutional shift would effectively restore Syria to its normal position as a compliant state and create the conditions for the IAEA Board of Governors to consider closing the chapter on non-compliance and engaging with Syria on the basis of constructive and sustainable cooperation.
The Head of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission concluded by stressing that the current efforts are not limited to answering questions related to the past, but also seek to build an institutional framework that prevents similar issues from recurring in the future, in line with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community.
