Moscow stands by Myanmar nuclear cooperation deal

19:4821/07/2009

MOSCOW, July 21 (RIA Novosti) - Nuclear cooperation between Russia and Myanmar is not in conflict with the Nonproliferation Treaty or IAEA requirements, and will move ahead, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Andrei Nesterenko's comment came in response to U.S. concerns over the cooperation.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said earlier on Tuesday that Washington was taking concerns about military cooperation between nuclear-armed North Korea and Myanmar "very seriously," but made no mention of Russia.

"Our cooperation with Myanmar is absolutely legitimate and in full compliance with our obligations under the Nonproliferation Treaty and IAEA requirements," Nesterenko said.

He added that the IAEA had no problem with Myanmar over its nonproliferation commitments.

Russia signed an agreement in 2007 on the construction of a nuclear research center in Myanmar, and it will stand by this agreement, Nesterenko said.

The center will include a 10 MW light-water research reactor.

Moscow stands by Myanmar nuclear cooperation deal | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

Moscow stands by Myanmar nuclear cooperation deal | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

L'accordo del 2007 suscitò non poche polemiche.