Russia is ready to boost cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in ensuring security at nuclear facilities, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
The number of countries operating nuclear plants will grow to about 30 by 2030, which raises concerns over nuclear energy security, Putin said during a meeting with IAEA head Yukiya Amano in Moscow.
Russia, which has constantly cooperated with the IAEA, especially in developing innovative nuclear reactors, is ready to continue joint work with the agency, Putin said.
"IAEA experts give the highest evaluations to security at our nuclear facilities," he added.
The prime minister praised the appointment of Alexander Bychkov, Russia's representative at the IAEA, as the organization's deputy director general heading the Department of Atomic Energy. Another Russian national, Yury Sokolov, was the department's head before Bychkov took office in September.
During his stay in Russia, Amano met with Sergei Kiriyenko, the head of Russia's state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom and is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday.
MOSCOW, October 25 (RIA Novosti)
