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 Iran, Russia wrap up talks on Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant
Moscow, April 22, IRNA

Iran-Russia-Atomstroiexport
Iran and Russia on Sunday wrapped up their fourth round of talks in Moscow on the completion of Bushehr nuclear power station construction project.

The talks, in which Deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Ahmad Fayyazbakhsh and Head of Atomstroiexport Sergei Shmatko led the two sides, focused on removal of financial and technical problems on the way of the project.

No more details on the talks have yet been released.

Based on the schedule, Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was to be on tentative operation in September 2006 and on full operation in November. However due to certain technical and financial problems arising from the Russian party, it was delayed. The Russian party failed in timely shipment of fuel by March. Thus, the project for completion of the power plant might be suspended.

The IAEO says it has completely fulfilled its commitments towards Atomstroiexport with regards to Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant project.

Atomstroiexport press secretary Irina Yesipova told IRNA that operations for construction of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is following its usual course but problem with delivery of side equipment by a third party is still there.

Yesipova said the Iranian party had in March observed part of its commitments but the payments are not enough to expedite the project for construction of the power plant.

She refused to announce exact date of the project's operation and said Atomstroiexport experts are analyzing Bushehr NPP's situation.

The Russian Atomstroiexport Company confirmed on Sunday the arrival of an Iranian delegation in Moscow to hold a regular stage of talks on the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power station.

According to press secretary of the Atomstroiexport Company press secretary Irina Yesipova, "The Iranian delegation arrived in Moscow on Saturday and started talks with representatives of our company.

"The talks continue on Sunday," she added.

The press service of the Russian company did not specify what questions will be discussed at the talks.

Last week, a delegation of Atomstroiexport experts returned to Moscow after another round of talks in Tehran and Bushehr on the construction of the first power units of the Iranian nuclear station.

At the time, Yesipova reported that the delegation 'conducted talks with the Iranian side in Tehran on stable financing of work at the first power set of the station'.

The sides discussed technical questions in Bushehr as well as questions of deliveries of equipment to the station.

Atomstroiexport noted that 'financiers of the Russian company brought specific proposals to Tehran on stable financing of work at the site of the nuclear power station, which had been worked out in compliance with the international banking law and available contracts'.

"The Iranian side read these proposals and now studies them," Atomstroiexport continued.

The company did not report specific results, reached at that stage of negotiations.

About the content of talks at the grounds of the Bushehr station, Yesipova said the sides 'discussed technical questions there, deliveries of lacking equipment, periods of deliveries of this equipment as well as questions of complete equipment at the first set which is ready nearly 95 percent'.

The company also reported that the 'situation at the construction site is normal: Russian specialists are doing planned work on the construction of this project'.

Iran, Russia wrap up talks on Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0704228049200550.htm)