A safeguards agreement is a legally binding agreement between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a country that has a nuclear program. It serves as a guarantee that the country will only use nuclear materials and facilities for peaceful purposes and will ensure that no materials are diverted for military purposes.
Georgia is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and as such, it is obliged to conclude a safeguards agreement with the IAEA to ensure that its nuclear program is purely peaceful. In 2006, Georgia and the IAEA signed a Safeguards Agreement, which came into force in 2007. The agreement provides for the IAEA to monitor Georgia`s nuclear activities, including the use and transfer of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology.
Under the safeguards agreement, Georgia is required to submit regular reports to the IAEA on its nuclear activities and provide the agency with access to its facilities and sites where nuclear activities are conducted. The IAEA is also entitled to collect samples of nuclear materials and carry out inspections to verify the absence of any undeclared nuclear activities.
The safeguards agreement is essential for Georgia to maintain its commitment to non-proliferation and to meet its international obligations. It provides confidence to the international community that Georgia is using nuclear materials and facilities solely for peaceful purposes.
In addition to its safeguards agreement, Georgia has also signed various international treaties and agreements related to nuclear non-proliferation. These include the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the Convention on Nuclear Safety.
In conclusion, Georgia`s safeguards agreement with the IAEA is a crucial step towards ensuring that its nuclear activities are in line with international non-proliferation norms. The agreement provides a framework for transparency and confidence-building measures which are essential for maintaining peace and security in the region. By upholding its commitments under the safeguards agreement and other international treaties, Georgia is contributing to efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoting global non-proliferation efforts.