NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby visited Romania and Poland to celebrate nuclear security cooperation
National Nuclear Security Administration
October 9, 2024
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The longstanding cooperation between the United States and Romania in nuclear and radiological issues is an excellent example of a relationship founded on security and prosperity over destruction and coercion.
NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby visited Romania and Poland from September 9-14 to celebrate a milestone in nuclear and radiological security cooperation and to reaffirm U.S. commitments to safe and peaceful civil nuclear energy. In both countries, the Administrator also praised allies for continued partnership supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian hostilities.
Administrator Hruby began her trip in Romania, where she met with U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec. They discussed the strength of the U.S.-Romanian working relationship, NNSA’s mission and its activities to support Ukraine, and the potential opportunities of small modular reactors within Romania’s civil nuclear power program.
Following this meeting, Administrator Hruby, alongside Ambassador Kavalec and Romanian State Secretary for Strategic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ana Tinca, delivered remarks celebrating 15 years of collaboration between NNSA’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS) and Romania’s National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN). The Administrator praised the assistance that Romania has provided since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighted the need for diligence in the face of Russian nuclear norm-shattering activities, and looked forward to continued U.S.-Romanian cooperation on nonproliferation. “As President Biden noted earlier this year when President Iohannis visited the White House, for 20 years Americans and Romanians have stood shoulder to shoulder in mutual defense of peace, stability, and our shared transatlantic values,” Administrator Hruby said.
The Administrator then visited the Headquarters of Romanian Military Police, the Jandarmeria (Gendarmerie), where Brigadier General Alin Mastan provided an overview of the Jandarmeria’s protection responsibilities for critical infrastructure, including nuclear and radiological facilities and transport. The Administrator toured the Jandarmeria’s central alarm station, which monitors the security of offsite radiological facilities, bolstering Romania’s ability to prevent the theft of nuclear or radiological material. The Administrator also met with Romania’s Deputy Chief of Defense for Operation and Training, Lieutenant General Iulian Berdila about assistance to Romania, identifying ways to improve nuclear security training and information-sharing.
Administrator Hruby concluded her visit to Romania with a visit to the Pitesti Institute for Nuclear Research, where experts provided an overview of the research reactor facility and a transport security response demonstration. She also met with the Romanian Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization, Bogdan-Gruia Ivan and the Ministry’s Secretary of State, Tudor Prisecaru. The group spoke about areas of ongoing cooperation in remote sensing and emphasized the need for continued cooperation in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
From Romania, Administrator Hruby traveled to Poland where she met with U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski and representatives from Westinghouse and Bechtel on the construction of Poland’s first civilian nuclear power plant. At an evening reception, Administrator Hruby thanked Poland for their partnership in nonproliferation and for their assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
While in Warsaw, Administrator Hruby delivered remarks at the 2nd Nuclear Power Industry Conference. “Growing U.S.-Polish cooperation on civil nuclear power is a prime example of responsible nuclear adoption,” the Administrator told conference participants. “Both Poland and the United States know that energy security is national security, and our two nations will stand shoulder to shoulder in both.”
Following the conference, the Administrator held several bilateral meetings, including with Polish Minster of Industry, Marzena Czarnecka; Polish Atomic Agency President, Andrzej Glowacki; and the Government Special Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, Deputy Minister Maciej Bando. They discussed civilian nuclear energy, DOE’s safeguards by design efforts, the risks posed by insider threats, and other topics.
From there, she met with Polish President Andrzej Duda alongside Ambassador Brzezinski and industry leaders for further conversations on the future of civil nuclear energy in Poland.
Finally, the Administrator visited the Zosin Border crossing where Polish counterparts gave a presentation on border security, radiation detection issues, and provided a tour of radiation detection systems, provided in part, by NNSA’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.
