MOSCOW, January 31 (RIA Novosti) - Uranium enrichment centers could be set up in other "nuclear club" countries as well as Russia, providing access on a non-discriminatory basis to other countries looking for nuclear fuel for power production, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a Kremlin news conference Tuesday.
"There could be other centers like this. Russia is a suitable partner for resolving such problems, given the country's highly developed nuclear energy sector, highly-skilled staff, experts and comprehensive nuclear infrastructure," Putin said.
Russia has already proposed setting up such a center on Russian territory to provide nuclear fuel for electricity production to Iran, potentially removing the need for Tehran to pursue controversial research that could also give it the technology to build nuclear weapons.
Moscow was open to cooperation with any countries interested in the project, Putin said. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were ready to participate in this project, he said.
"Of course, a modern, safe approach is needed. For example, so-called fast reactors carry practically no risks," Putin said.
The Russian president said last week that Russia was set to establish an international center that would be controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency to offer nuclear services, including enrichment, on a non-discriminatory basis.
He called at the time for plans to be drawn up for a new global infrastructure that would be equally available to all countries interested in atomic energy, and which would comply rigorously with non-proliferation agreements.
