Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 16 July 2020, the leadership of the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan met with a Hungarian delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Tashkent.

The meeting took place within the framework of the official visit of the Hungarian delegation to Uzbekistan.

During the dialogue, the readiness of the Hungarian side for partnership in the energy sector was voiced, in particular at the level of cooperation between the Uzatom Agency under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Hungarian Scientific Center for Nuclear Energy MVM Paksi Atomeromu Ltd. in the construction of a nuclear power plant and scientific exchange in the field of nuclear energy.

The possibilities of using the "dry" method of cooling circulating water at large thermal power plants, including nuclear power plants, which are successfully used in the Hungarian company ENIOX, are discussed. The rich experience of this company is aimed primarily at the use of such cooling methods in arid regions experiencing a certain shortage of water resources. The Hungarian side noted its readiness to provide financing to Exim Bank of Hungary in the amount of 130 million euros with the participation of the Hungarian company ENIOX in this project.

Specialists of the Uzatom Agency, as well as a number of other ministries and departments, during their visits to Hungary in 2018 and 2020, got acquainted in detail with the facilities of the Hungarian nuclear power industry, studied the experience of this country in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

In particular, a turnkey construction project of the Russian-designed Paks-2 NPP, which is being built by ROSATOM, is currently being implemented. Paks-2 will have two VVER-1200 power units, that is, as noted by the Hungarian side, it has similar technical parameters with the future first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.

The Hungarian side emphasized the educational aspect of mutual cooperation, which is already taking place and the trend towards development. This is reflected in an increase from 30 to 100 people in the quota for students from Uzbekistan, within the framework of which it was proposed to introduce a program for the study of nuclear energy at the Budapest Polytechnic University.

On all discussed issues, the parties have reached preliminary agreements and their further study will be carried out with the involvement of specialists from the two countries.