Russia and Bolivia sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold talks on a possible civilian nuclear agreement.

Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bolivian ministry of hydrocarbons and energy on cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

The document was signed by Sergey Kirienko, Rosatom director general, and Luis Alberto Sanchez, Bolivia’s energy minister.

Russia, according to Sanchez, will support the nuclear energy project through a research center that will be built in Bolivia.

The cooperation will include the use of radioisotopes and other nuclear technologies in the fields of industry, medicine and agriculture.

The MoU also stipulates that Russia will provide training and education for Bolivian personnel, as well as assistance in the creation and development of infrastructure for the management and regulation of Bolivia’s nuclear power program.

Bolivia and Russia agreed to hold further talks on a possible intergovernmental accord on collaboration in the use of nuclear energy but no date was given by either side.

Earlier this year, Bolivia signed a nuclear agreement with Argentina to promote and develop the infrastructure and institutions needed for its nuclear energy program.

Bolivian President Evo Morales said in October last year that the South American country would invest more than $2 billion in the development of nuclear energy over the next decade. He said that Bolivia’s nuclear energy program will “streamline and strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, in addition to improving food preservation, seeds, soil and pest control with the installation of an irradiation plant.” Morales added that the country plans to install a cyclotron PET/CT linear accelerator as well as a nuclear research reactor..

The country plans to build its first research reactor by the year 2020.