07.09.2007 // Interfax

Russia and Australia have concluded an inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy

On Friday, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, the head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Putin and Howard made a joint statement on power engineering and climate change.

The agreement says that the sides will use nuclear materials, equipment, components and technologies “for peaceful purposes” in electricity production, medicine, agriculture and industry. The agreement applies to all nuclear materials transferred between Russia and Australia — be they supplied directly or via third countries.

The agreement stipulates that if the above-mentioned materials are mixed with other nuclear materials the agreement applies to their total amount. The document specifies the nuclear materials that cannot be delivered to the recipient without preliminary written consent by the supplier. 

If the recipient fails to meet its non-proliferation commitments, the supplier has the right to stop the deliveries and to demand that the recipient improve the situation. Unless the recipient does it, the supplier has the right to claim the materials back. Any problems should be solved through negotiations and good will.

In their joint statement on climate change and power engineering Putin and Howard have expressed firm commitment to actively cooperate in the spheres.

They said that in their energy policies the countries should give priority to economic development, safety and ecological stability. The sides pointed out that reduction of greenhouse gases is a very urgent problem and they are strongly committed to solve it in the long-term prospect.

Besides, Australia has shown interest in cooperating with Russia and other countries on the design of the fourth generation of nuclear power plants.

Putin and Howard pointed out that their countries have much in common:  scale of economy, abundance of mineral resources and fuel, commitment to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.  The sides advocate encouraging the safe use of nuclear energy and enlarging bilateral trade.

They are also firmly resolved to battle terrorism in their countries and in the world.