Croatia and US sign memorandum to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear materials

Croatian Finance Minister Ivan Suker and US Ambassador James Foley signed in Zagreb on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the prevention of illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials.

The memorandum between the US Department of Energy and the Croatian Ministry of Finance will enable equipping Croatia's strategic points of entry, such as border crossings, airports and seaports, with radiation detection systems and training Croatian customs officials in detecting and interdicting illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials, it was said at the signing ceremony.

The US plans to invest about $4 million in the project over the next four years, and Croatian companies will be used for the construction and installation of the systems and for the long-term maintenance of the equipment.

Unfortunately, there is a threat of terrorists smuggling radioactive substances for the purposes of developing weapons of mass destruction, Foley said, adding that it was the common responsibility of all members of the international community to respond to such a threat.

Suker said the agreement would help Croatia in its preparations for the European Union's Schengen border control regime.