Remarks at the ceremony marking the delivery of nuclear fuel to the Rooppur NPP’s No.1 Unit

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ms Prime Minister, Mr Grossi,

Dear friends,

I would like to cordially greet all participants in today’s ceremony marking the delivery of nuclear fuel to the Rooppur NPP site and to congratulate everyone on a new stage in the building of the first nuclear power station in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

This flagship project meets the interests of our two countries and helps strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation still further. Of course, it is making a real and considerable contribution to the Republic’s economic development and to strengthening its energy security.

I would like to note that Bangladesh is our longtime friend and good partner. We collaborate with Bangladesh in line with the principles of equality, mutual respect and consideration for each other’s interests. The foundations of Russia-Bangladesh relations were laid over 50 years ago when, in the early 1970s, the Soviet Union supported the people of East Bengal in their struggle for independence and efforts to establish a new state, Bangladesh.

Our country was among the first to recognise the young Republic and was actively involved in developing its economy, while also helping to build major industrial and energy facilities that continue to benefit the people of Bangladesh.

As a recognised global leader in peaceful nuclear energy, Rosatom builds nuclear power plants utilizing the most advanced engineering solutions and technologies based on the most stringent safety standards as well as on environmental and conservation requirements.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was built and prepared for launch in strict compliance with the IAEA rules and recommendations. I think Mr Grossi, who is taking part in our ceremony, can confirm that the physical protection system for the plant is advanced and reliable. We would like to thank the IAEA for their assistance in this project.

Naturally, Russia’s efforts are not limited to building the facility; we will provide assistance to our Bangladeshi partners throughout the entire life cycle of the nuclear project, including our obligations for the long-term deliveries of reactor fuel, plant maintenance, and handling nuclear waste.

As part of our cooperation under the Rooppur project, Russia is training highly qualified specialists for the Bangladeshi nuclear industry. More than 80 Bangladeshi students who seek careers in the nuclear industry have already completed their studies at Russian universities, and their number will continue to grow. In fact, we are not simply building a nuclear power plant but creating an entire nuclear sector, a peaceful atom industry in Bangladesh, and we are doing it together with you, dear friends.

Since last year, an education and training centre for Bangladeshi personnel has been operating at the nuclear power plant. Specialists that are trained there will oversee basic technological processes at the plant, with over 1,000 Bangladeshi citizens having already completed their training. Their essential professional skills and knowledge will allow them to be employed not only in the nuclear industry but also in many other economic sectors in Bangladesh.

Friends,

Now, as part of our ceremony, we will hand over to our Bangladeshi colleagues a certificate of delivery of Russian nuclear fuel to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant’s Energy Unit 1. Upon this, Rooppur will receive the official nuclear facility status.

I would like to once again express my gratitude to Madam Prime Minister for her personal attention to our bilateral cooperation both in peaceful nuclear energy and all other key areas. Thank you very much, Madam Prime Minister.

I would like to wish all our Russian and Bangladeshi colleagues and friends future success and all the best.

Thank you for your attention.