By John Ikani
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday announced that the preparation of an inter-governmental agreement between Moscow and Burundi regarding civilian nuclear energy is nearing completion.
Lavrov’s statement came after a meeting with Burundi’s Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro in Bujumbura, as reported by Russia’s state news agency Tass.
According to Lavrov, “the roadmap on nuclear energy has already been signed between the Russian state energy corporation, Rosatom, and its Burundian partners.”
He emphasized that both parties are fully committed to collaborating on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The initial agreement on the nuclear energy roadmap was signed by the two countries in November of the previous year, with Russia offering assistance to Burundi in establishing atomic plants.
Before heading to Mozambique, Lavrov held further bilateral talks with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
The visit is part of Lavrov’s ongoing tour of African nations, following his recent trip to Kenya and preceding his upcoming arrival in South Africa.
In the midst of discussions, Foreign Minister Shingiro reaffirmed Burundi’s stance of remaining neutral in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
