IAEA reps start talks in Baku

Representatives of the United Nations nuclear watchdog have started official meetings in Baku.

On Wednesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) representatives had meetings at the Health Ministry and the Cabinet of Ministers. During the third such visit in the past year and a half, the agency officials tabled the proposals submitted by Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani government has recently informed the IAEA that it planned to build a radiation treatment facility and a nuclear research reactor in the country’s territory soon.

The group’s coordinator on Azerbaijan Andrei Chupov said that in particular, the agency will assist Azerbaijan in building a nuclear reactor.

“Our primary goal here is to help the country train staff in this field. Secondly, we should ensure that the reactor is used for scientific and technical purposes. Thirdly, the reactor should be suitable for the production of nuclear isotopes to be further used in the healthcare sector, in particular, for the treatment of cancer diseases,” Chupov said.

He said that starting in 2009, the IAEA will join effort with local specialists to research the project, which covers a wide range of issues, including technical, economic and political considerations.

“We are to prepare a final report after the discussions. In conclusion, the Azerbaijani government will pass a decision whether or not the reactor will be constructed,” Chupov said.*