Vietnam's atomic energy institute, Vinatom, has signed a memorandum of understanding with a unit of Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear company to cooperate on nuclear research, the South China Morning Post reports. The agreement, announced on Tuesday, also explores Vinatom joining the international consortium behind the MBIR research centre.
The centre is being built around a fast-neutron research reactor under construction in Dimitrovgrad, Russia, which will be used for research into reactor fuel, materials and safety. The deal gives Vietnamese specialists access to the reactor's facilities. The paper notes that the partnership is part of Vietnam's wider ambition to develop nuclear power, and raises questions over whether Western sanctions on Russia could slow or complicate the cooperation.
Source: South China Morning Post