Moscow, Ankara agree on nuclear power plant cooperation

MOSCOW, January 13 (RIA Novosti)

Russia and Turkey on Wednesday signed a joint statement regarding
plans to build a nuclear power plant on Turkish soil.

The document was signed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin,
who is in charge of the energy and fuel sector, and his Turkish
counterpart.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, currently on a visit to
Moscow, said his country was completing preparations for the signing
of a formal agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant on
its territory.

He said nuclear cooperation with Russia would proceed through "direct
interstate agreements."

He added that "practical results" were expected "in the foreseeable future."

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia had "significant
advantages over the competition" for building a nuclear plant in
Turkey.

"We provide loans and equipment, and we give local construction
companies … a share of 20-25% or even 30% in the entire volume of
contracts," he said. "We provide nuclear fuel and are ready to take
back spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing."

"Needless to say, we are expecting a positive decision," Putin said.

Turkey canceled a tender for the construction of its first nuclear
power plant late last year, but was expected to announce a new tender
for three nuclear power plants later this year.