Vladimir Zhidkikh, member of Federation Council

– This agreement will increase the number of nuclear chips for both Russia and Japan

During a meeting in Tokyo on May 12 2009 Director General of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Sergey Kiriyenko and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Hirofumi Nakasone signed an inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. The document is aimed at laying a firm legal basis for the actively developing Russian-Japanese cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. The agreement covers a wide range of activities: prospecting and mining of uranium; engineering, construction and operation of light water reactors; processing and treatment of radioactive waste; nuclear safety and ecological control; study and use of radio-isotopes and radiation. The document says that the parties may exchange of experience and experts, provide services and supply materials, products and technologies. The official period of the agreement is 25 years but, de facto, it will be an open-ended agreement unless either of the parties decides to terminate it. The new large-scale Russian-Japanese inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy has replaced the Soviet-Japanese agreement signed Apr 18 1991 and is expected to foster joint projects. Now the agreement is to be ratified by the Russian and Japanese parliaments.

This agreement has become a good practical application of the so much expected visit of the Russian Prime Minister to Japan. It has brought up Russian-Japanese relations to a constructive level.

Russia and Japan might have earned much bigger benefits from their cooperation in trade and other spheres were it not for the territorial problem. For almost a decade the Japanese politicians found no courage to pass it over. What has happened now is a very strong signal for the businesses of both countries. This is a historical agreement.

We have gained a strong partner in the field of nuclear power engineering. Yes, we have very good relations with Germany but that country has decided to shut down all of its nuclear reactors. Japan is different: in that country nuclear energy is one of the national priorities. In any case, Japan is a good partner for us. This alliance will redouble the competitiveness of Russian and Japanese nuclear companies. This agreement will certainly increase the number of nuclear chips for both Russia and Japan.