Iran, Russia stress on timely operation of Bushehr power plant
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, March 15, IRNA -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev stressed Monday evening on the timely going into operation of Iran’s first nuclear power plant.
Speaking with each other in a telephone conversation, the two also stressed the need for further expansion of bilateral ties and cooperation.
They said that going on the line of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in its due time would serve the national interests of both capitals.
Construction of the plant was started in 1975 by German companies, but the work was stopped in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
A contract for finishing the plant was signed between Iran and the Russian Ministry for Atomic Energy in 1995, with Russia's Atomstroyexport named as the main contractor.
The work was delayed several years by technical and financial challenges as well as by political pressure from the West.
After the construction almost grounded to a halt in 2007, a renewed agreement was reached and delivery of nuclear fuel started in the same year by Russia.
An official launch ceremony was held on 21 August 2010, and the plant was expected to go on the line within the next few months.
The project is considered unique in terms of its technology, the political environment and the challenging physical climate. It is the first nuclear power plant built in the Middle East.
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