Tunisia Signs MoU With Russia's Rosatom For Nuclear Energy Cooperation

From R. Ravichandran MOSCOW, June 2 (Bernama) -- More and more Arab states are looking into the possibility of using nuclear energy and constructing nuclear plants for the purpose of generating electricity and other peaceful uses. In this context, Tunisia Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) for cooperation in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The signing ceremony was held at the 7th ATOMEXPO 2015 International Forum on Nuclear Energy which opened here Monday. The document laid the legal foundation for interaction between Russia and Tunisia in the nuclear energy covering among others, support in the development of nuclear energy infrastructure in Tunisia. The MoU also envisages the formation of a work team to determine joint projects contributing to the implementation of the plans of the Tunisian side to create national nuclear energy, as well as other joint projects of mutual interest. Tunisian Ambassador to Russia, Ali Gutali who represented his country at the signing told reporters that Tunisia wanted to reduce its dependence on oil for generating energy and as such, needed to look into a renewable source of energy and the best option was nuclear energy which was cost effective and environmentally clean. He said the MoU also covered other areas such as production and use of radio-isotopes in industry, medicine, agriculture, radioactive waste management and training of specialists in nuclear physics and nuclear energy. "We need the assistance of developed countries like Russia in the area of nuclear energy for peaceful purpose," he added. Rosatom State Corporation deputy director-general N. N. Spasskiy represented the Russian Government at the signing. -- BERNAMA