Iran nuclear plant operational in 2007
Iran-Russia, Politics, 9/27/2006

Russian expert on Iran and Director General of Center for Modern Studies on Iran, Rajab Safarov, said today that the talks between the Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Reza Aqazadeh and Russian officials were fruitful.

Speaking to the Russian Interfax News Agency, he said that the Iranian negotiator who greatly benefited from the negotiations in Moscow, declared Iran's definite, serious and harsh nuclear stance.

Turning to the importance of the talks, he said that during the negotiations, any suspicions about Iran-Russia ties in energy sector were eliminated.

"Meanwhile, the timetable for supply of nuclear fuel and completion of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was declared," he added.

Safarov said that Russia eventually distinguished Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant project from politics, adding that any other development about Iran can also be added to the agenda of international talks about the country.

"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has no evidence to disprove the peaceful nature of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant," he said.

He said that delay in implementation of the power plant project is against the interests of his country.

"If Russia fails to make the power plant operational in September 2007, it will lose the chance to participate in Iran's long-term energy projects and based on the relevant agreement should pay heavy fines."

Russia's foremost consideration in its ongoing construction work on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is to ensure safety, a Russian nuclear official said today.

Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency spokesman Sergei Novikov made the remarks in an interview with the Moscow-based newspaper Vermia Novosti.

He said it would be impossible to finish construction of the power plant in a short period of time and at the same ensure observance of the highest safety standards.

Sergei Shmatko, president of Russia's sole nuclear equipment and export company Atom Stroi Export, which is building the power plant, said on Tuesday that nuclear fuel for the plant would be delivered to Iran in March 2007 and the power plant would definitely be inaugurated in November 2007.

Novikov called on the two sides not to exaggerate issues related to construction of the power plant.

He said the recent visit by Iranian Vice-President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Reza Aqazadeh to Moscow ushered a new chapter in nuclear cooperation between the two states.

The sides came up with a draft agreement for training of staff for the Bushehr power plant in Russia's Kaliningrad center which will be discussed further and finalized in the near future, he added.

Aqazadeh wrapped up a two-day visit to Moscow and returned home Wednesday.

While in Moscow, he held talks with the head of Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency, Sergei Kiriyenko, and Russia's Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov.

Previous Stories:
  Russia should fill commitments on Bushehr power plant: Iran   (9/11/2006)
  Iranian official on need of completing Bushehr powerplant on time   (9/5/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search