Yuri Lipatov, Chairman of State Duma Energy Committee

– Atomexpo will raise ideas of peaceful use of nuclear energy to a new higher level

Atomexpo 2009 international forum took place in Moscow May 26–28. In 2009 the Government of Russia will allocate almost $4.5bln for the support of the national nuclear industry, Vice Premier of Russia-Head of the Staff of the Government of Russia Sergey Sobyanin said during Atomexpo forum. He said that nuclear energy was one of the key priorities of the Russia-Europe cooperation. Director General of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko said that despite its focus on national equipment Rosatom was open for international partnership and was ready to take part in international projects on parity basis. Rosatom supposes that the demand for electricity will be restored in no earlier than two years and, therefore, is revising its NPP construction plans: now, we are planning to start building two reactors a year in 2014–2015.

Leading nuclear experts from all over the world have taken part in Atomexpo 2009. The interest in nuclear energy is growing worldwide despite the crisis. Russia’s nuclear industry has high potential throughout the nuclear fuel cycle and is highly competitive on the global nuclear market.

In the framework of its development program and in line with the global tendencies, the Government of Russia is spending big money on the development of the energy sector, particularly, on the construction of nuclear power plants. I hope that Atomexpo will raise the ideas of peaceful use of nuclear energy to a new higher level.