Russia and Ethiopia have signed an agreement setting out a three-year plan to lay the ground for the construction of a centre for nuclear science and technology and a nuclear power plant, Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation said on Monday.

The agreement was signed by Alexey Likhachev, Rosatom’s chief executive, and Getahun Mecuria (pictured), Ethiopia’s minister of technology.

Rosatom said in a statement: “The roadmap determines specific steps in strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy. The parties have identified joint actions within the framework of a nuclear power plant construction and centre for nuclear science construction projects.

“Thus, a foundation is laid for training personnel and raising public awareness about atomic energy.”

The signing follows an earlier memorandum of understanding, signed in June 2017, that established a legal framework for nuclear cooperation.

The day after agreeing the Ethiopian roadmap, Rosatom signed another with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a two-year deal that also envisages the construction of a nuclear science centre and the training of Congolese technicians.

Rosatom says it has six reactor projects under way inside Russia and 36 outside. Its 11th Atomexpo forum, brought together over 1,500 foreign participants from 74 countries.

Image: Getahun Mecuria speaking at a UN conference (YouTube)

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