OREANDA-NEWS. March 24, 2011. The French delegation headed by Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France in Russia, Jean de Gliniasty, visited Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Plant (an enterprise of TVEL Rosatom Fuel Company).

Within the framework of the official visit of French delegation in Priangarye, the delegation met with AECP General Director Alexander Belousov and got acquaintance with the plant.

The purpose of the visit was the development of cooperation in the field of joint investment projects between French companies and enterprises of Irkutsk region. The French showed a keen interest in the projects and technologies that were implemented at AECP. During the excursion to the separation production the Ambassador of France noted the difference in the appearance of French and Russian centrifuges and wondered about degree of their reliability.

"The guaranteed service life of our centrifuges is more than 30 years, it’s 0.001% depreciation per annum", — A. Belousov explained.

"Establishment of International Uranium Enrichment Center on the base of Angarsk is also a great advertising of Russian abilities of enrichment. Of course, it came at a high cost for you. But the first step is made and it is necessary to continue developing this idea, which has a profound significance for world safety. International Uranium Enrichment Centre is a great gift from Russia to the international community "- Jean de Gliniasty said after visiting the office of IAEA and warehouse with a guaranteed stock of enriched uranium hexafluoride.

In conclusion, the ambassador promised to discuss the experience of AECP with the French Government, and admitted that the impression from that meeting was one of the highlights for the entire program of French delegation visit to Priangarye.