INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
Vienna,
29 May 2024
Reference: ME-RER9164-2300584
Excellency,
I have the honour to refer to earlier consultations, at the technical level, between
the Secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and representatives
of your Government concerning the organization of the Regional Workshop on the Development
and Implementation of Long-Term Storage Technologies for Different Types of Waste
(hereinafter referred to as “event”) in Nieuwdorp from 4 to 8 November 2024, within
the framework of the IAEA technical cooperation project RER9164, “Building Capacity
for Radioactive Waste Management”.
The purpose of the event is to discuss and share the current approaches and practices
regarding the storage different radioactive waste classes, including the design of
storage facilities for these classes, the ageing management, monitoring and upgrade
of these facilities, and their associated waste packages.
Approximately 25 participants from the Member States listed in Annex A are expected
to attend, as well as 3 representative(s) from the IAEA.
I have the honour to enquire whether the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
(hereinafter referred to as the “Government“) would wish to host this event and, if
so, whether the Government would agree to make the following arrangements:
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1. The Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (“the Agreement”), which was accepted by the Government on 29 August 1963, shall
be applicable in respect of the event. In particular, officials of the IAEA participating
in, or performing functions in connection with, the event shall enjoy the privileges
and immunities provided under Articles VI and IX of the Agreement. Representatives of States shall enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded under
Article V of the Agreement. Experts invited by the IAEA to attend the event shall enjoy the privileges and immunities
accorded under Article VII of the Agreement. The property, funds and assets of the IAEA associated with the event shall enjoy
the privileges and immunities accorded under Article III of the Agreement.
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2. The Government shall accord to the persons mentioned in paragraph 1 above every facility
necessary for the performance of their functions in connection with the event, including
entering, remaining in and leaving the Netherlands, provided that the conditions governing
the entry are fulfilled. The Government shall issue any necessary visas as expeditiously
as possible and, where the legislation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands permits,
free of charge. The Government, however, reserves the right to deny, irrespective
of nationality, visas to individual participants in accordance with the rules and
regulations applicable in the Netherlands, including the Visa Code of the European
Union. Annex A contains the list of Member States to be invited to participate in the event.
The IAEA shall inform the Government promptly of all persons officially designated
to attend the event. The IAEA shall also advise such persons to apply for visas, if
necessary, in good time before the opening date of the event, and the Government is
expected to issue such visas promptly so as to allow them to attend the event.
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3. The Government shall facilitate customs formalities for the persons mentioned in paragraph
1 above when they enter and leave the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as for the
equipment, training material and publications being provided by the IAEA, in accordance
with the processes and procedures applicable in the Netherlands.
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4. The Government shall, at no cost to the IAEA, make adequate and appropriate premises,
personnel and facilities available for the entire duration of the event.
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5. The Government shall exercise reasonable care to ensure security on the premises where
the event takes place and to ensure the safety of the persons mentioned in paragraph
1 above while they are on those premises. The Government shall take whatever steps
may be reasonable in the circumstances to ensure such security and safety, including
such supervision of the premises as may be warranted.
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6. Any difference or dispute arising in connection with the undertakings entered into
by the Government and the IAEA in connection with the event shall be resolved exclusively
through consultations between the Government and the IAEA.
With regard to the organization and conduct of the event, I wish to propose the arrangements
as set out in Annex B, which forms an integral part of the agreement.
Should your Government wish to host this event, this letter and your letter in reply
shall constitute an Agreement between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the IAEA
concerning the Regional Workshop on the Development and Implementation of Long-Term
Storage Technologies for Different Types of Waste, which shall enter into force on
the date of your reply and shall remain in force for the duration of the event and
for such additional period as is necessary for its preparation and winding up. The
total duration of this Agreement, however, shall not exceed one year.
I would be grateful if you would inform me in writing of your Government’s agreement
to the above-enumerated points so as to enable the Secretariat to proceed with timely
arrangements.
I would like to convey to you the IAEA’s appreciation for your Government’s contribution
towards the technical cooperation programme.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
MARTIN KRAUSE
Acting Deputy Director General
Acting Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation
Enclosures: Annex A: List of Member States and Organizations to be Invited
Annex B: Proposed Arrangements
HE Mr Peter Potman
Resident Representative
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the IAEA
