Kazakhstan, Astana, Sept. 27 /Trend D.Mukhtarov/
Decision on deployment of a low-enriched uranium bank in Kazakhstan can be taken next year, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Committee of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Timur Zhantikin told journalists on Friday.
"There is no such a decision (on deployment of a nuclear fuel bank in Kazakhstan) yet, because at the moment an elaboration of a number of issues on the safe functioning of the bank is being carried out with the IAEA. We have got about 12 technical missions of the IAEA; these include both regulatory framework and a complete set of laws. This entire package will be well studied, because there are too many aspects," Zhantikin said.
He said that it was planned to sign an agreement in October 2013, but another round of negotiations has been appointed.
"The decision will be made after meeting all comments of international expert groups. This will not be in autumn 2013, as there are a number of questions on deployment. Thus, the question arises about the safety of the facilities that were built in the 40's," he stressed.
According to him, the whole system in Kazakhstan has been adjusted to international standards.
"Now, according to optimistic forecasts, we assume that next year negotiations on the agreement will be completed, in addition we have to work out issues of modernization of our safety regulation system, and to finalize implementation of security system of Ulba plant in technical terms, where the fuel bank will be located", Zhantikin said.
At the same time, he added that it would be better to call it a 'low-enriched uranium bank', instead of 'nuclear fuel bank'.
As previously reported, Kazakhstan presented the initiative to deploy the nuclear fuel bank on its territory.