In interview to Russian News Service Rosatom head Kirienko told about Angarsk international Center for uranium enrichment.

"Angarsk international center is a large project of two presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbaev. It is their mutual project since Putin initiated this project at the G8 summit in St Petersburg in January, 2006. Nazarbav supported this initiative at once. Today Russia's share in International center is 90%, Kazakhstan's share - 10%. Actually Russia and Kazakhstan are two main founders. Intergovernmental Agreement was signed in May, 2007. Last week the Regulations and rules of this Center were signed. Thus the International Center is ready. And we announced that we are ready to admit any country."

Then he told about the requirements to country potential partner of the Center. It should be the country which develops or would like develop nuclear power on its territory, but it is ready not to organize double- use technologies, enrichment of uranium. Then this country can come to us and buy a part of shares of International Center for uranium enrichment. So we left 90% shares ourselves in order to sell them to countries interested. According to preliminary estimation, each potential party can buy maximum 10% shares.

Kirienko also added that other two countries announced that they initiate to draw up documents. This is Armenia. The president of Armenia declared that Armenia is ready to admit to International Center for uranium enrichment and now the documents are prepared. And this is Ukraine. Delegation of ministry of power of Ukraine visited Angarsk 10 days ago and after this Ukraine announced that it is going to joint to International Center.

"We think Armenia and Ukraine will joint to International center during this year. Besides, we negotiate with 3-4 countries. But it is a political decision, so first the government of these countries should make a statement. We are open without restriction", - Kirienko said.

SOURCE: AtomInfo.Ru

DATE: July 12, 2007

Topics: NFC, Russia, Armenia, Ukraine