Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn met with Romania’s Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja on April 23 on the occasion of the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis’ state visit to Korea and signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral nuclear energy cooperation in the presence of the two countries’ presidents.
The MOU designates the following as the core cooperation areas for Korea and Romania: nuclear equipment improvement; safety equipment; materials and equipment supply chain; nuclear fuel; small modular reactors (SMRs); and radioactive waste management. The two sides as will be installing a public-private nuclear industry dialogue channel as well. With the basis for mid-to-long term cooperation laid down at the governmental level, it is anticipated that discussions for collaboration across a wide range of areas will accelerate in the future.
The two ministers shared their respective energy policies and measures for stronger energy cooperation, agreeing to give full support towards the successful completion of the tritium removal facility project Korea Hydro Nuclear Power (KHNP) won in June 2023. They also decided to further expand the scope of nuclear cooperation to cover Cernavoda nuclear power plant Unit 1 facility improvement and nuclear fuel supply chain issues. The two countries will be holding a nuclear industry dialogue within this year as part of swift follow-up measures to the bilateral summit talks.
This article was first published on 24 April by KERC.
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