Indonesia Establishes Nuclear Cooperation With France

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian nuclear agency, the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), has established cooperation in the field of utilization of nuclear energy with Subatech Laboratory in France.

"BATAN has established nuclear cooperation with France, which has vast experience in operating nuclear power plants (PLTN)," BATAN Chief Djarot Sulistio Wisnubroto stated after signing a memorandum of understanding here on Monday.

According to Wisnubroto, Indonesia has expressed its readiness to cooperate with various countries in strengthening infrastructure for the utilization of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

"In the long term, we consider nuclear technology to be part of the energy mix," he affirmed.

He pointed out that such cooperation is also necessary to improve the quality of human resources.

"There were several PLTN in France. About 70 percent of the electricity was supplied by PLTN, "he noted.

The cooperation was necessary to boost ties between the scientific communities in Indonesia and France as well as the industry for the development of nuclear technology in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, France was ready for a technology transfer to Indonesia, Deputy Director of the France International Nuclear Agency (AFNI) Marc Ponchet affirmed.

"We are ready to transfer technology, including with Indonesia," he emphasized.

Besides Indonesia, France has also cooperated with 58 other countries in the world.

BATAN also held a seminar on Nuclear Technology and Utilization of Nuclear Energy to facilitate the exchange of information on the progress of nuclear science and technology between the two countries.

The seminar is expected to increase the utilization of nuclear technology to improve the peoples welfare.(WDY)