Russia and United States initial an inter-governmental cooperation agreement

04.07.2007 // Press Center of the Nuclear Power Industry

Russia and the United States have initialed an inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy

“We acknowledge with satisfaction the initialing of the bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the United States of America for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy,” says the White House Statement following the July 1–2 meeting of the Russian and US presidents in Kennebunkport.

Now the parliaments of the two countries have to consider the agreement within 90 days. The document allows the sides to exchange nuclear materials and equipment.

In his interview to Russian News Service Head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko says that until now the countries have exchanged nuclear fuel and equipment via mediators, which has been a serious obstacle to supplies to third countries. As soon as the agreement takes force, this problem will be removed. “Today, Russia is the biggest supplier of nuclear fuel and services in the world. We seek to expand our presence on this market and need direct ways for doing it. We can export fuel, uranium enrichment services, fuel assemblies and other high-tech products. That’s why we seek cooperation with the US. Today, the US is the biggest user of nuclear energy: they have over 100 nuclear reactors and a large program for their development. So, we want such markets to be open.”