한·미 정상, 해외원전시장 공동진출 합의

 5월 21일(현지시간), 한미 정상은 공동성명을 통해, “원전사업 공동참여를 포함하여 해외원전시장에서 협력을 강화하고, 최고 수준의 원자력 안전·안보·비확산 기준을 유지하기로 합의”했다고 발표함

< 원자력협력 관련 한미 정상 공동성명 >   we commit to develop cooperation in overseas nuclear markets, including joint participation in nuclear power plant projects, while ensuring the highest standards of international nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation are maintained.

 또한, 공동성명과 함께 공개된 Factsheet를 통해 한미 양국이 함께 원전 공급망을 구성함으로써 해외원전시장에 공동참여(co-participate)하기로 약속하고, 이러한 협력의 일환으로 원전공급시 IAEA 추가의정서 가입 조건화를 양국 비확산 공동정책으로 채택하기로 하는 등 원자력분야 협력 강화방안을 구체화함

 

< 원자력협력 관련 Factsheet >  Together, the United States and the Republic of Korea will:   · Further cooperation in civil nuclear industry in overseas nuclear markets, and strengthen our cooperation in non-proliferation in the course of such collaboration. As part of our earnest effort to ensure supply of nuclear power, the ROK and the United States commit to co-participate in overseas nuclear markets by promoting coordination in the supply chain, and the ROK will adopt a common policy with the United States to require recipient countries have an IAEA safeguard agreement Additional Protocol in place as a condition of supply of nuclear power plants. In this regard, we agree to hold the High Level Bilateral Commission meeting at a mutually agreeable time.

 현재 해외 신규원전사업에 양국 주요 원전기업들이 큰 관심을 갖고 있는 가운데, 금번 양국 정상간 합의를 계기로 기업간에도 구체적인 협력논의가 이어질 것으로 기대됨

 ㅇ 특히, 전통적인 원전 강국인 미국의 기업들과 우수한 기자재 공급망과 더불어 UAE 바라카원전 1호기 상업운전을 성공시킨 우리기업들간 최적의 해외원전 공급망을 갖추게 될 경우, 수주경쟁력 제고와 더불어 양국 원전 생태계 강화에도 크게 기여할 것으로 평가됨

 한편, 향후 양국은 정상회담 합의사항 이행을 위해 정부간 협의를 지속하여 원전수출 협력을 위한 구체적인 논의를 이어나갈 것임을 밝힘

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