BUSHEHR, Sep. 10 (MNA) – The AEOI head Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran’s nuclear industry remains a strategic symbol between Iran and Russia.

Speaking on the sidelines of a joint press conference between Iranian and Russian nuclear officials on Saturday morning in Bushehr, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said “according to the remarks made by the Leader, 'independent' Iran and 'mighty' Russia can celebrate remarkable accomplishments together.”

“The Iranian President has also repeatedly stressed the new approach to international relations, meanwhile putting bilateral cooperation with Russia on top priority,” said Salehi speaking on the occasion of launching the first unit of Bushehr nuclear plant.

He went on to add that, fortunately in the current year, a 70 per cent growth has been witnessed in promotion of trade exchanges between Iran and Russia; “we seek to preserve existing ties for ever since the relationship between Iran and Russia is a strategic and growing one.”

In response to a reporter’s question on economic feasibility of the first unit at Bushehr nclear plant, the official said “each power unit saves one thousand megawatts equivalent to 11 million barrels of oil and assuming an oil price of 40 to 50 dollars per barrel, the project brings about 440 million dollars of saving not to mention the fact that the initial investment and administering of the power plant proves to be much less than 440 million dollars."

“From an environmental point of view, the project prevents emission of seven million tons of greenhouse gases,” stressed AEOI head concluding “if the three units of Boushehr nuclear plant come on stream, a total of 33 million barrels of oil will be saved.”

By Mehr News Agency