On April 15, 2019, during the XI International Forum ATOMEXPO 2019, Russia and Serbia signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The first document defines the areas of cooperation in the field of personnel education and training, and the second establishes the principles of forming public opinion about peaceful use of nuclear technology.
From the Russian side, the documents were signed by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROATOM, and from Serbian – by Nenad Popovich, Minister of innovation and technological development in the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
As part of the education and training MoU, the parties intend to jointly train specialists in the field for the peaceful nuclear technologies and organize various training programmes including students exchanges, training of teachers for Serbian universities and much more.
The Memorandum on the public acceptance on the use of nuclear technologies in the Republic of Serbia defines the basic principles of transparency. The work will be carried out in the following areas: informing and educating public on the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, organization of international conferences and exhibitions, joint implementation of social and educational projects, promotion of nuclear technologies and much more.
"During this year, we have achieved success in the bilateral dialogue and the signing of these memoranda is a confirmation of that. Nuclear technology has no future without qualified personnel and without public support it is impossible to talk about the implementation of such high-tech projects. Step by step, we and our Serbian partners openly and systematically lay the foundation for future joint projects that will make a significant contribution to the development of the economy and welfare of Serbia", – said Alexey Likhachev.
"These agreements open new page in the relations between Serbia and ROSATOM. Now Serbia has a chance to receive a knowledge transfer from the best Russian specialists in nuclear technologies and together with them to update and build the Serbian knowledge base in this area. Together with Rosatom, we want to establish a centre of nuclear science and technology and innovation in Serbia. It will be the most modern Сenter in this part of Europe and nuclear technology specialists from all over the world will be trained there. Today, nuclear energy has applications in medicine, agriculture, industry, "smart cities". We want to develop Serbia's capabilities in these areas, and we have the best partner, Russian ROSATOM – the world's leading company in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes", said Nenad Popovic.