The
support mission to SGAE and the follow up of the Euratom treaty operational
implementation with the participation to the EU technical working groups are the
very sources of CTE creation. Its action deals with as diverse fields as nuclear
research, nuclear material and fuel supply, health protection (waste safety and
management included), investments or external relations.
As a
technical support to SGAE, CTE is in charge of the investigation of files
related to “Euratom files” proposals.
CTE
investigates every files to be discussed within the Atomic Questions Group (WPAQ) or
the Research (Atomic Questions) Group (RWPAQ) related to the Euratom
framework. This concerns all legally binding texts such as draft directives,
draft regulations, draft Euratom/third states agreements or other non-binding
Commission or Council’s proposals such as recommendations, communications or
conclusions.
To
fulfil its mission, CTE can rely on French expertise in ministries and
administrations or among nuclear operators and it transmits the result of its
investigation to SGAE which organises the interministerial validation process.
CTE
participates in WPAQ and RWPAQ meetings.
CTE is
in charge of monitoring the work carried out in European Commission experts
groups which are
reflecting on files related to the Euratom treaty, likely to be thereafter
examined by the European Council.
It
regularly organises meetings with these experts so that the latter are informed
of France’s positions on these matters. It informs SGAE of difficulties met
during this mission. Experts groups currently followed by CTE, as a
regular or alternate member, are the INSC Committee (Instrument for Nuclear
Safety Cooperation), the NuBaFa (Nuclear Backend Financial Aspects expert group), the NDAP
(Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Program) Committee and the articles 35 and
36 experts group.
In the
field of nuclear research, CTE is a member of the Fission Work Programme Committee
and is the National Contact Point for Euratom.