Bato-Zhargal Zhambalnimbuyev, member of Federation Council Sub-Committee on Nuclear Energy

– Russia has all reasons for seeking a role in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the world

Nuclear energy should be developed on the basis of three fundamental principles: nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear safety and safety of nuclear facilities, says the statement adopted by the G8 leaders during the last summit in Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan. 

This initiative is based on three fundamental principles: nonproliferation, safety and nuclear security and I think that this is a right approach. During the last meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin a representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency said that several dozens of instances of trafficking in nuclear materials were registered in 2007. So, it is absolutely logical that this statement is focused on the problem of nuclear safety.

Lots of countries are interested in uranium enrichment and use of nuclear materials. So, we must further reinforce the nonproliferation regime. We must urge the countries that have not yet ratified the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to do it.

Our President also stressed the importance of developing nuclear energy in the world.

The nuclear energy market is a vast market. Lots of developed and developing states want to have own nuclear power plants. Russia also has such a program. The demand for energy resources and their prices are steadily growing, while nuclear energy is cheap and I think that it role in the world will be rising. Russia is open to cooperation. Today, we are implementing joint nuclear energy projects with China, India, Europe and other states. We are ready to develop own capacities for production of technologies and specific components of the nuclear process, enrichment and electricity production at nuclear reactors.

Russia complies with all conventions related to the safe use of nuclear materials. We have adopted laws aimed at solving this problem and are constantly improving our legislation in this field. Russia certainly has all reasons for seeking a role in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the world.