JAKARTA, June 16 (RIA Novosti/GNA) – Russia is ready to share its experience and technologies in peaceful nuclear energy with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to strengthen the region’s energy security, Evgeny Zagaynov, Russian ambassador to ASEAN, has told RIA Novosti.
“We view peaceful nuclear energy as a long-term area of our partnership with ASEAN and are ready to share Russian experience and technologies to promote sustainable development and strengthen the region’s energy security,” Zagaynov said ahead of the Russia-ASEAN anniversary summit in Kazan.
Deepening bilateral cooperation between Russia and Southeast Asian countries in the nuclear sector creates a solid foundation for expanding Russia-ASEAN interaction, the diplomat said.
The parties have made significant progress in developing this area within the Russia-ASEAN dialogue over the past year and have effectively laid the foundation for systemic cooperation, he said. Specifically, a series of thematic seminars and roundtables were held with the participation of relevant experts, government officials and industry representatives, he added.
The signing of a memorandum of understanding between Russian state nuclear power corporation Rosatom and the ASEAN Center for Energy was an important practical step, creating additional institutional framework for advancing joint initiatives, Zayganov said.
Moreover, a number of projects aimed at developing cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy are currently being developed under the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund, including the exchange of best practices, awareness-raising and capacity building.
The anniversary summit marking 35 years of Russia-ASEAN relations will take place in the Russian city of Kazan on June 17-19. The Russia-ASEAN Business Forum will be held on June 17 on the sidelines of the summit. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the summit.
GNA/RIA Novosti