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Kazakhstan, Canada to ink deal on peaceful nuclear energy use

11 November 2013 14:49 (UTC+04:00)
Kazakhstan, Canada to ink deal on peaceful nuclear energy use

By Aynur Jafarova

Kazakhstan and Canada will sign an agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The signing ceremony will be held during the visit of Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird to Astana which will be held on November 13-14, Altai Abibullayev, the spokesman of the Central Communications Service under the Kazakhstan President, said on November 11.

"This is the first visit of the Canadian minister since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Canada is our most important partner in NATO," Abibullayev said.

According to Abibullayev, the foreign ministers of both countries will hold a meeting during the visit. The sides intend to discuss the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation.

"During the visit, John Baird will meet with Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev. Following the meeting, they will sign an agreement on peaceful use of atomic energy," Abibullayev said.

Kazakhstan holds the second largest uranium reserves in the world.

Kazatomprom said earlier that around 5,590 tons of uranium was produced in Kazakhstan in the second quarter of 2013, which is about 9 percent over the same period in 2012.

In 2009 Kazakhstan initiated the placement of an international nuclear fuel bank in its territory under the auspices of the IAEA. The bank envisages the storage of low-enriched uranium for the production of fuel elements for the nuclear power plant in a gaseous form that does not pose any radiation threat. Any country seeking to develop nuclear energy will be able to apply to Kazakhstan with a request for fuel for its own nuclear power program.

Kazatomprom National Atomic Company is the Kazakh national operator for the import and export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for power plants, special equipment, technologies and dual-use materials.

The company's main activities include geological exploration, uranium production, output of nuclear fuel cycle products, construction of reactors and nuclear power plants, non-ferrous metallurgy and production of construction materials, power industry, science, social welfare and personnel training.

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