Estonia signed a deal Tuesday with the United States that paves the way for radiation detection instillations at Estonia's borders to prevent nuclear smuggling.
The announced agreement between top officials at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board moves forward a proposal to install new radiation detection and integrated communications equipment at multiple border crossings, airports and seaports in Estonia, the National Nuclear Security Administration reported.
"NNSA is committed to detecting and deterring attempts to smuggle nuclear materials or devices into the United States or other countries around the world," NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Non-proliferation William Tobey said in a statement. "Our agreement with Estonia is another opportunity to build upon our international partnerships to do so."
With similar equipment at over 160 sites around the world, the NNSA Second Line of Defense Program is an effort to collaborate with foreign governments to install the detection equipment to prevent smuggled nuclear and radioactive materials across borders.
"Estonia's borders demarcate the edge of the European Union," U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Dave Phillips, who signed on behalf of the NNSA, said in a statement. "By signing this document, the United States and Estonia are agreeing to a commitment to keep dangerous nuclear and radiological material out of the hands of terrorists and criminals, for the greater good of European and U.S. citizens alike."
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