WNAM REPORT: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed issues of nuclear energy, non-proliferation, and nuclear safety in Moscow.
Putin and Grossi previously held informal talks on the sidelines of the “World Atomic Week“ forum in Moscow.
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian leader’s press secretary, told reporters that Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko welcomed the IAEA director’s readiness to run for the post of UN secretary-general.
Russia’s cooperation with the IAEA has been established in almost all areas, including nuclear safety, Putin said during a meeting with Grossi in the Kremlin.
The IAEA chief said it was important for him to discuss nuclear safety issues in Russia.
“Cooperation has been established in almost all areas. This concerns the development of Russian energy, Russian participation in projects outside Russia and other issues, primarily global nuclear safety,“ Putin said.
He stressed that Russia seeks to provide the IAEA with all possible assistance in resolving important issues. “Russia was at the heart of the creation of the agency in 1957. And all these years we have been actively cooperating with the agency, striving to provide all possible assistance in solving the global and extremely responsible, important tasks facing the agency,” the Russian president added.
The Russian head of state also thanked Grossi for his visit to Moscow and his participation in the International Forum on Nuclear and Related Industries.
The head of “Rosatom“ Alexey Likhachev also participated in the meeting between Putin and Grossi.
“I want to thank you for this constructive interaction and assure you that we will do everything in our power to support your work“, Putin said.
Many countries are currently interested in cooperation with Rosatom, Grossi said.
“It is a great pleasure and joy for me to return to Moscow and continue our conversation. As you mentioned, this visit coincided with a very important event and takes place at a crucial moment for nuclear energy worldwide. Russia, represented by Rosatom, plays a leading role in many countries and many countries are interested in cooperation with Rosatom, as we see today“, Grossi said.
He noted that countries in Asia and Africa are interested in cooperation with Rosatom.
“This is indeed a very important moment. “And the agency’s presence is also important for supporting such projects and implementing them in a constructive manner,” Grossi noted.
