Under a memorandum of understanding, signed 18 July, AREVA and Rosatom have agreed to set up working groups to study opportunities for strengthening their cooperation in the nuclear sector.
This decision is in line with the Franco-Russian intergovernmental declaration of 18 November 2011, that called for closer ties between the companies involved in the nuclear industry in both countries.
The working groups will focus their attention on a variety of topics including: services to existing nuclear reactors, particularly those based on Russian VVER technology; the management of spent fuel; and cooperation in manufacturing and supply chain for nuclear island’s components.
The progress of joint studies and analysis of decisions made will be controlled by a strategic committee to be headed by the chief operating officers of both groups.
Commenting on the deal AREVA chief executive Luc Oursel said: “Today’s ceremony demonstrates the shared desire of our groups to develop a closer cooperation on dedicated fields such as recycling or maintenance activities.”
Director general of Rosatom, Sergey Kirienko commented: “In such essential industry as nuclear power, the competition in separate market segments doesn’t exclude the cooperation.”
Kirienko and Oursel signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of Rosatom and AREVA.
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