Alexander Pasechnik, Head of Analytical department of the National Energy Security Foundation:

 — I think that due to this victory in Turkey Rosatom will get good dividends and it’ll be very useful from the point of view of already existing arrangements and future negotiations on cooperation.

On July 14 the Turkish parliament ratified the Russian-Turkish agreement on construction of the first NPP in the country. The agreement was signed on May 12, 2010 in Ankara. Russia and Turkey will hereunder cooperate in the field of construction and operation of the NPP in Akkuyu in south Mersin province. After entry of this agreement into effect the Russian party will start the project campaign. The future NPP capacity is expected to be 4800 mW that is equal to 14% of todays capacity generated by Turkey

Alexander Pasechnik, Head of Analytical department of the National Energy Security Foundation:

As far as I know, Russia has some progress in relations not only with Turkey but also with Iran. The international market is being actively developed. The fact that Rosatom has been decided the winner of the tender out of 6 world leading companies is not just a set of circumstances. This victory proves a real breakthrough of Russian nuclear scientists.

In these latter days all international projects despite the crisis proceed developing. Now it’s hard to find weighty competitors developing the foreign market. And Rosatom, in view of recessionary and post-recessionary phenomena in economy, not only hasn’t suffered any damage but, I think, even kind of won having mobilized its forces.

Firstly, expenses on research work materials for the units construction has been cut down. That’s why profitability ratio has improved together with attractiveness for investors. Then, note that at present Rosatom occupies rather strong strategic position in the world due to the modern management. That’s why the country administration places its stake on modernization and operation. Integration processes continue developing.

For example, the share of Siemens, one of the leading players at the nuclear machine-building market, is rather weighty in Russian joint projects and amounts to about 20–30%. Since it’s difficult to work alone establishment of various joint ventures becomes a normal current trend. And taking into consideration that Rosatom is a multi-field, total cycle holding (production, extraction and disposal of nuclear fuel, construction and operation of NPPs) and takes on many different projects it’s impossible to control all official construction projects alone. And the State Corporation provides work not only for its own enterprises but those of related sectors.

Let me remind that in respect of Belene NPP the Bulgarian partners occupy an obscure position because there is still no clear final decision. They haven’t invested a single ruble in out joint project implying investments from the both parties. Everything is delayed because of political background but if Bulgaria was the first to construct its NPP it would become a large regional energy center. We not only cooperate with the Bulgarians but have the whole “energy package”.

Our alternative pipe line “The South Stream” in which Bulgaria, according to the recent data, will take place is also regarded as important. This issue is currently being discussed together with NPP construction. That’s why I hope that in the nearest weeks and months we’ll manage to obtain certain results of negotiations. I think that due to this victory in Turkey Rosatom will get good dividends and it’ll be very useful from the point of view of already existing arrangements and future negotiations on cooperation. It proves that the company is up to the mark, has money and ready for cooperation.