A declaration of intent to collaborate on nuclear reactor construction and design was among 14 agreements signed during an Italian-Russian summit held in Moscow recently.At the summit, chaired by the presidents of the two countries, Italian Minister of Economic Development Claudio Scajola signed a declaration of intent with Rosatom Director General Sergey Kiriyenko covering collaboration on the construction of third generation nuclear reactors and the study, design and construction of a prototype fourth-generation reactor.
Kiriyenko said that Russia would be helping Italy with its return to nuclear energy within the next 3-5 years. Under the latest agreement, a Russian-Italian working group is to be set up to develop a joint activity programme within six months.
The lower house of the Italian government recently approved a bill overturning the country’s moratorium on nuclear power.
