25 January 2018 MOSCOW – PHILIPPINES-RUSSIA ACCORD – An memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) formally took effect on 19 December 2017.
PHILIPPINES-RUSSIA ACCORD
An memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) formally took effect on 19 December 2017. The MOU, which was signed in Moscow on 25 May 2017 during President Duterte’s official visit to Russia, aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.The MOU, which was signed in Moscow on 25 May 2017 during President Duterte’s official visit to Russia, aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Under the MOU, the Philippines is set to receive technical assistance in the form of exchange of experts, arrangement of workshops and symposia, training and education of personnel,and exchange of scientific information in accordance with both countries’ laws and international treaties.
From left: Sec. Alan Peter S. Cayetano of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Sec. Ramon T. Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry; and Sec. Fortunato T. Dela Peña of the Department of Science and Technology at the signing of various agreements on 25 May 2017 in Moscow during the visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to Russia. Photo credit: Malacañang photos.
The Department of Energy (DOE) also signed a related agreement with ROSATOM on 13 November 2017 during the visit of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Manila.
On 11 December 2017, the Department of Energy (DOE), DOST and ROSATOM organized a nuclear energy workshop at the Diamond hotel for officials of DOE, DOST, National Power Corporation, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and other government agencies. Both the DOST and the DOE, as well as private Philippine firms, are cooperating with ROSATOM on various uses of nuclear energy.
According to DOST Secretary Dela Peña, one such use is the irradiation of PH fruits and vegetables which is a requirement for export. In an article published in the Philippine Star on 28 December 2017, Sec. Dela Peña said, “We are short of capacity in terms of irradiating products particularly those for export. We only have one facility in the PNRI compound. It’s running 24/7, and still cannot cope. So there is an urgent need to set up more facilities.”
Amb. Carlos D. Sorretta emphasized that cooperation on nuclear energy is not limited to building traditional nuclear power plants. “Russia is a global leader in nuclear technology and their expertise include applications in healthcare, transport and agriculture,” he said. END
For more information about PHILIPPINES-RUSSIA ACCORD , visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph.
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