ASTANA. April 18 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed a Country Program Framework for 2023-2028, the Kazakh Energy Ministry said.
The program was signed in Astana by Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during the latter's official visit to Kazakhstan.
"The new program for 2023-2028 has been developed based on the existing record of technical cooperation, and takes into account Kazakhstan's status as a country planning the construction of its first nuclear power plant. It identifies four priority areas, namely nuclear energy infrastructure, nuclear and radiation safety and security, food security, and nuclear medicine," it said.
The program serves as a foundation for midterm technical cooperation planning between Kazakhstan and the IAEA, it said.
The transfer of nuclear technology and technical resources for cooperation will aim to promote Kazakhstan's national development goals.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said while meeting with Grossi that his country was interested in cooperation with the IAEA and considers it a priority.
"I am sure that your visit is taking place at the right time in terms of promoting our relations. You know that working with the agency is a priority for Kazakhstan. We are very interested, and we highly appreciate your activity as the head of this important institution," the presidential press service quoted Tokayev as saying.
The meeting addressed a broad range of matters, including stronger technical cooperation and the construction of an NPP in Kazakhstan.
Tokayev emphasized the IAEA's leading role in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the consolidation of nuclear safety and security.
Grossi praised Kazakhstan's role as a leader of and responsible participant in the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation process.
"We do a lot together in different areas. I would be very glad to exchange views with you on a wide range of issues, from healthcare to your future nuclear energy development program," the Kazakh presidential press service quoted Grossi as saying.
Kazakhstan has been cooperating with the IAEA since 1994, allowing it to gain access to the latest technology and research and bolster its scientific and technical capabilities.
Kazakh Prime Minister Alikham Smailov told journalists earlier that Kazakhstan and Russia's Rosatom state atomic energy corporations were pursuing a roadmap for building a nuclear power plant in the country.
Former Prime Minister Bolat Akchulakov said the government would decide on the technology supplier for the NPP in 2023. According to the Samruk-Kazyna state fund, Rosatom has an advantage in terms of the technology it can offer compared to other suppliers.
As reported earlier, Kazakhstan intended to engage an international pool of investors to finance the construction of an NPP. The future construction site is located near the Ulken community in the Almaty region. The Energy Ministry expects construction to take up to ten years, with the cost of one power unit's construction averaging $5 billion. Kazakhstan's energy balance forecast for the period up to 2035 proposes the launch of an NPP with an aggregate capacity of 2.4 GW among the possible options.