The American Embassy made a donation to the Institute of equipment for the identification of radioisotopes
On 10 March 2022, the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences signed an agreement to prevent smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials with the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.
The agreement lays down the conditions for cooperation between the two countries aimed at detecting, deterring and combating the smuggling of special nuclear materials and radioactive substances.
The cooperation agreement is in line with the 2008 Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US Department of Energy and the Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior.
In connection with the signing of the agreement, a donation of a portable radioactivity detection and isotope identification device worth 22 thousand dollars was made to the Institute by the American partner at an official ceremony. The device will help the INRNE to detect and identify nuclear materials and other radioactive substances quickly and reliably, as well as to maintain constant readiness for emergency situations.
Identical devices were also provided to other state organisations – the General Directorate of Border Police, the Police Academy in Pazardzhik, the General Directorate of Fire Safety and Civil Protection, the State Agency for National Security and the National Centre for Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, whose activities are related to the detection and measurement of radioactive emissions.
On behalf of the INRNE, the agreement was signed by Prof. Dimitar Tonev, Deputy Director of the Institute, and on the American side – by Andrew Vogt, Office Director of “Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence”.
Among the official guests at the signing were H.E. Ms. Herro Mustafa, US Ambassador to Bulgaria, and Mr. Boyko Rashkov, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria.
