“Rosatom” and CEA (France) signed a Cooperation Agreement

“Rosatom” and CEA (France) signed a Cooperation Agreement

The Agreement covers a wide spectrum of  bilateral collaboration, from nuclear energy development strategy and nuclear fuel cycle, development of next generation reactors, future gas coolant reactor systems, radiation safety and basic studies to nuclear material safety, prevention and emergency measures. Moreover, in the new Agreement, which is to replace the two previous agreements of 1993 and 2000, the subject and areas of cooperation are significantly expanded, and include public opinion and public awareness aimed at shaping favorable attitude to nuclear energy, as well as management of crisis situations. A large part of collaboration shall be devoted to future SNF and RW reprocessing technology, nuclear facilities decommissioning  and subsequent RW management and production and application of isotopes in medicine and industry.
The new Agreement provides for joint research activities and identification and implementation of projects under cooperation that may be of interest to State Corporation Rosatom and CEA. It also sets legal basis for arranging workshops, conclusion of contracts, exchange of experts, study courses, training and advance training of scientific and technical staff, including visits to industrial sites and facilities in both countries.
Working groups have already been set or will be established in the near future on each area of cooperation. The working group meetings take place once or twice a year to sum up the results and develop plans for the next working period. The groups are working under the leadership and supervision of the Rosatom – CEA Steering Committee.
Commission for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Sources of France (CEA) is the key French partner of Rosatom in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Currently collaboration between State Corporation Rosatom and CEA is governed by the Cooperation Agreement in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy signed between the Ministry for Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation and The Commission for Atomic Energy of France on 10 March, 1993 and the Agreement on Cooperation in the Management of Crisis Situations of 19 October, 2000. Both agreements will become invalid upon the signature of the new Agreement.