OREANDA-NEWS. April 15, 2009. Belarus and Russia will hold negotiations on signing an intergovernmental civilian nuclear cooperation. Council of Ministers Resolution No 431 approved the draft agreement as a basis for holding negotiations, reported the Official website government.by.

Energy Minister of Belarus has been commissioned to hold the negotiations and sign the agreement.

The Energy Ministry said that signing of Belarus-Russia intergovernmental civilian nuclear agreement will give the sides an opportunity to turn to the direct talks on the construction of the nuclear power station in Belarus.

BelTA has earlier informed that the Russian Atomstroiexport will act as the prime contractor of the construction. The intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the nuclear power station should be developed, coordinated and signed in 2009.

The Energy Ministry of Belarus is considering an opportunity of employing a foreign engineering company to implement the project on the construction of a nuclear power plant -- according to the Ministry, since the end of 2008 engineering companies have been offering their services to Belarus. “We meet with them, discuss the possibilities,” the Energy Ministry said. Belarus will sign a contract with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant. Yet, the country lacks the experience of preparing such big contracts. “What is the right way to conclude it or to determine the optimal price? We are considering employing an engineering company for preparing the documents,” the Energy Ministry specialists said.

Several foreign companies are ready to propose their services. “We would like to involve Belarusian companies that know the legislations of Belarus and Russia. Another point is that they are less familiar with the nuances of a nuclear project. Therefore we are thinking of employing foreign and Belarusian specialists,” the Energy Ministry said.

A possibility to attract an engineering company was discussed not long ago at a session of the ministerial commission in Minsk. Further consideration of the issue will depend on the decision of the country’s authorities.

According to the Energy Ministry, Belarus and Russia are planning to sign the intergovernmental civilian nuclear agreement in Q2 2009. “The Belarusian side has already prepared all necessary documents,” the Ministry said.