Brazil, Argentina extend cooperation
Brazil and Argentina have agreed to extend their nuclear cooperation by jointly constructing two research reactors. The agreement stems from a cooperation accord signed in 2008.Brazil and Argentina have agreed to extend their nuclear cooperation by jointly constructing two research reactors. The agreement stems from a cooperation accord signed in 2008.
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| Presidents Rousseff and Fernandez meet in Buenos Aires (Image: CNEA) |
The agreement was signed in Buenos Aires on 31 January by Argentina's minister of planning Julio De Vido and his Brazilian counterpart Fernando Pimental.
According to a statement from the CNEA, 'These two research reactors will be of a multipurpose type and will be used for radioisotope production, irradiation testing of fuel and materials, and neutron beam research.' Details about the type, location and timescale for the construction of the research reactors were not disclosed.
In February 2008, Argentina and Brazil signed a declaration to jointly develop nuclear power reactors, uranium enrichment as well as nuclear naval vessels. Shortly after the signing of that agreement, the CNEA and CNEN began work on the formation of the Binational Commission of Nuclear Energy (COBENA), which was launched in early 2010.
In August 2010, Brazil's then President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez instructed COBENA to 'intensify efforts to implement and integrate cooperation projects which have been identified as priorities for the advancement of bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, particularly the flagship projects of bilateral strategic relationship and high visibility projects, such as joint development of a multipurpose research reactor.'
Argentina and Brazil already use nuclear energy on a small scale. Both countries currently have two nuclear power reactors each in operation.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
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