Iran proposes consortium for developing nuclear plants in Gulf

Iran proposes consortium for developing nuclear plants in Gulf
TEHRAN, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Sunday proposed to form a consortium with neighboring countries in the Gulf region for developing nuclear power plants. Reza Aqazadeh, head of Iran Atomic Energy Organization, made the proposal in his address to the opening session of the First International Seminar on Nuclear Power Plants, Environment and Sustainable Development. Aqazadeh encouraged participants of the two-day seminar to form a consortium to construct and develop light water nuclear power plants in the region, the official IRNA news agency reported. "Iran is ready to provide very soon a comprehensive plan for the proposal if it were approved in generalities by the Persian Gulf littoral states," he was quoted as saying. The seminar opened in Tehran Sunday morning in the presence of Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and representative of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Christer Viktorsson. The participants in the seminar are to discuss the need for nuclear energy as a replacement, setting up nuclear power plants as a national strategy, nuclear power plants and global energy market, development of nuclear energy and sustainable development and nuclear energy. Global warming and the role of international bodies to protect environment and safety in developing nuclear power plants are among other subjects for discussion, the IRNA said.