Japan to start procedure of ratification of nuke coop agt with RF.

8/2 Tass 50

TOKYO, February 8 (Itar-Tass) - The Japanese government has decided to
launch the procedure of ratification of the intergovernmental agreement
with Russia on cooperation in the nuclear power industry, Japan's leading
business newspaper Nikkei reports on Tuesday.
The draft document will be submitted for approval in Parliament in the
last ten days of the month, the newspaper notes. Tokyo's position on this
matter will be expressed by Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara at the upcoming
February 11 talks in Moscow. The bilateral agreement on cooperation in
peaceful uses of atomic energy was signed in May 2009 during Russian Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin's a visit to Japan. Russia completed its
ratification procedure this January, notes Nikkei, in view of this, the
Japanese authorities have also decided to begin its ratification procedure
in the country's supreme legislative body. Under the agreement, Japan is
planning to establish direct supplies of Russian enriched uranium, and
Russia, the publication says, is going to buy in Japan equipment for the
atomic power industry, including turbines for nuclear power plants.
Toshiba Corporation, which is already cooperating with Kazakhstan in the
development of uranium deposits, has also begun a detailed study of a
joint partnership project with the Tekhsnabexport association in the
sphere of uranium enrichment.
The main purpose of the intergovernmental agreement is to create a
reliable legal framework for cooperation in this sphere. It covers such
aspects of partnership as exploration and development of uranium deposits,
design, construction and operation of light water reactors, radioactive
waste management and reprocessing, nuclear safety, including radiation
protection and monitoring of the environment. The document contains
provisions concerning the transfer of nuclear material, equipment and
technology. It fixed the possibility of implementing economic projects in
the nuclear field, within the framework of international commitments of
both countries, including commitments to the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA). The agreement is concluded for a term of 25 years, after
which it will remain in force until any of the contracting parties
expresses the intention to terminate it.
-0-ezh/ast