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Russia continues nuclear cooperation with Iran, despite wide criticism

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Bushehr, Feb 27, IRNA -- Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Chief 
Alexander Rumyantsev said here Sunday that despite wide criticism 
against Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation, Moscow intends to continue 
its collaboration with Tehran based on international laws. 
After signing an agreement obliging Iran to return spent fuel of 
the Bushehr Power Plant to Russia, he added that the ongoing 
cooperation is in full accordance with the international regulations 
and that his country has never violated the relevant laws. 
Turning to the fact that Iran has been complying with the protocol
banning the weapons of mass destruction, he stated that Iran has 
inked the IAEA nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) additional 
protocol to facilitate the transparency of its nuclear activities. 
"Given that there are five atomic powers in the world, no other 
countries should possess nuclear weapons. On the other hand, some 
world states are equipped with fuel cycle facilities, while the 
cycle is not only limited to extraction of uranium and its 
enrichment. 
"One phase of the fuel cycle complex is located at the 
nuclear reactor so that after being spent, the fuel can be 
maintained in the power plant for a limited time, after which it 
will either be sent to another country to be kept permanently or be 
reprocessed," he added. 
The Russian official underlined that based on the IAEA letter 
of association, the countries developing nuclear technology are 
required to help other states to gain access to it. 
"Russia will provide the fuel of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, 
while Iran should in turn guarantee to return the spent fuel to 
enable Russia to reprocess it for permanent storage," he added. 
He referred to the document signed on return of the spent fuel 
by Iran as a significant event and noted that during his inspection 
of the ongoing project in Bushehr, he was almost convinced that it 
will be implemented on schedule. 
Rumyantsev promised that a number of Russian experts will 
arrive in Bushehr in the coming weeks to help install the relevant 
equipment. 
He stressed that a classified document has been signed by the 
wo sides, in which the order and time schedule of returning the 
spent nuclear fuel to Russia is listed in details. 
"The only thing I can say about the agreement, is that it is in 
full accordance with the technical process required for sending the 
spent nuclear fuel," he concluded. 
Rumyantsev and Aqazadeh arrived in the southern city of Bushehr 
on Sunday morning. 
The high-ranking Russian official and his entourage inspected 
various parts of the Bushehr Power Plant, while being accompanied by 
the Head of Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Gholam Reza 
Aqazadeh, deputies, and experts as well as domestic and foreign 
reporters. 
The Iranian and Russian nuclear chiefs are scheduled to attend a 
press conference after signing of the protocol. 
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