8 Jun 2023 11:34

Russia looking forward to IAEA director general's visit - Rosatom head

SOCHI. June 8 (Interfax) - Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi is expected to visit Russia, Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev told reporters, adding that the date and geography of Grossi's trip will be specified.

"Of course, we are expecting Grossi. He will definitely arrive, as he himself said. The city will be specified. It is a separate question whether it will be before or after [Grossi's visit to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant], but we are committed to continuing contacts with the IAEA. I should emphasize that all agreements with the IAEA are being implemented," Likhachev said.

The Rosatom head highly appreciated the IAEA's efforts to ensure the safety and security of the Zaporozhye NPP.

"We continue to assess the role of the IAEA mission at the Zaporozhye NPP as extremely important and its presence as extremely timely and relevant, because it certainly acts as additional protection of some sort against an attack on the nuclear power plant," he said.

"The second aspect is that it is of course a channel for providing unbiased information, because IAEA experts are present directly at the site, keeping in touch with the staff [of the Zaporozhye NPP] and with the armed forces. They see everything. They receive answers to all questions," Likhachev said.

"We are always glad to see Mr. Grossi both in Russia and at the Zaporozhye NPP. We hope that these contacts will develop further after his speech at the UN," Likhachev said.