Uzbekistan, IAEA to expand cooperation

TASHKENT. Dec 5 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi have discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation and promote its new practical aspects.

"Among cooperation priorities, the parties listed areas such as enhancing the competence and potential of national agencies, training highly skilled specialists, and implementing promising nuclear energy, agriculture, water management, healthcare, and environment protection projects under IAEA programs," the Uzbek presidential press service said on Wednesday.

Mirziyoyev and Grossi agreed to adopt a joint roadmap for expanding multifaceted cooperation in carrying out civilian nuclear projects, it said.

Uzbekistan has been an IAEA member since 1994. In this period, the country has implemented over 40 joint projects with the organization's technical support.

Uzbekistan and the IAEA are currently pursuing five projects, including those aimed at adjusting the legal basis and potential of the relevant national institutions and developing nuclear science and medicine.