Preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons is important for the national security of the United States and Russia. Both countries have cooperated closely and effectively in this area for many years. In recent years, U.S.­Russian cooperation on the issues of nonproliferation has expanded due to the joint work in the area of control, accountability and physical protection (MPC&A) of nuclear materials in accordance with relevant agreements between the United States of America and Russia, including at the governmental and ministerial level. In order to ensure further success of joint projects which will be continued and expanded, the Ministry of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation and the Department of Energy of the United States have agreed on the following guiding principles for their cooperation in the area of control, accountability and physical protection of Nuclear Materials.

1. The fundamental objective of all our MPC&A cooperative work is to enhance national security. The theft or unauthorized possession of nuclear weapon materials could threaten the security of both countries and the entire world. The United States and Russia, as the two largest nuclear powers, share a special responsibility to prevent this danger.

2. Each country has pursued its own government MPC&A programs for many years. These programs are constantly reviewed and improved, in response to global conditions. Rapid enhancement in MPC&A systems is an urgent national priority for both countries.

3. Our MPC&A cooperation is designed to reinforce the existing national MPC&A programs in both countries, and accelerate enhancements in MPC&A systems. An important goal of both nations is to equip, on an accelerated basis, the maximum number of facilities having direct­use nuclear materials with up­to­date MPC&A systems, devices, and equipment. Concrete, practical results and demonstrated improvements are the basis by which the work will be judged. Continued funding by both governments depends on the results and progress.

4. Cooperative MPC&A work requires careful planning, implementation, and oversight to ensure consistency with national programs and policies in each country, as well as coordination with related programs involving other countries. Sensitive information must be protected. Cooperative work will make use of both U.S. and Russian methods and technologies, depending on the applicable requirements and their practical value.
 
 
 

5. Several different, but complementary, mechanisms are necessary to achieve our MPC&A goals, including intergovernmental and interministerial agreements and intensive joint work among technical experts and institutions including contracting between U.S. and Russian institutes.

SECRETARY OF ENERGY

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 
 

Signed by Hazel R. O'Leary

MINISTER OF THE RUSSIAN

FEDERATION FOR ATOMIC ENERGY
 

Signed by Viktor N. Mikhailov

Washington, D.C., January 30, 1996
 

Source: URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/gorec/gcc21.html

Comments or questions? Contact Cristina Chuen at MIIS CNS: Cristina.ChuenATmiis.edu

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2002 by MIIS.

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