Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In order to ensure the implementation of the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 4 October 2018 PP-3958 "On measures to further expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India", a memorandum on mutual understanding on training and professional development between the Agency for the Development of Nuclear Energy "Uzatom" under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership under the Department of Atomic Energy of the Republic of India (GCNEP) was signed on 21 September.

The meeting, organized via online video conference, was attended by the Director General of the Uzatom Agency J. Mirzamakhmudov, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of the Republic of India, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission KN Vyas.

The meeting participants emphasized the importance of the visit of the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 16-19 February 2020 to the Republic of India for a detailed study of the practice of building a nuclear power plant and establishing close cooperation between the two countries. Emphasizing that today's meeting is a logical continuation of the previous agreements, the parties focused on the discussion of issues of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

In particular, the sides discussed issues of exchange of experience and information in the field of nuclear energy, professional development of specialists, holding meetings, scientific conferences, seminars, trainings, symposia in this area. The issues on the use of advanced nuclear technologies in the processing of fruits and vegetables in the agricultural industry of Uzbekistan were also comprehensively considered.

At the online meeting, held in a friendly spirit, the parties comprehensively exchanged views on the importance of countries actively supporting each other in the difficult conditions of the spread of the pandemic.

The signed memorandum of understanding includes points of cooperation in the field of nuclear system, radiation, industrial, fire and environmental safety and physical protection, research in the field of radiation safety, advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear safety and safety analysis, the use of radioisotopes and radiation technologies, radiation protection and radiation monitoring of the environment, personnel development, nuclear power plant waste management, metrological support in the field of radiation safety, and other areas.

GCNEP was established under the Department of Nuclear Energy of the Government of India in 2010. The center has 5 schools, organizations for the study of nuclear energy and nuclear safety, the study of the safety of radiology, the characteristics of nuclear materials and radioisotopes, and the use of radiation technologies.

On 16-19 February 2020, at the invitation of the Republic of India, a visit of the Uzbek delegation to India was organized. Within the framework of the visit, a visit was organized to the site of the Kudankulam NPP, built by Rosatom State Corporation and equipped with VVER reactors.