Delegation of government’s representatives and executives of Japanese leading energy and trade enterprises - headed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry – Mr. A.Amari who is responsible for energy policy of Japan - arrives on 29-30 April 2007 to Kazakhstan to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial strategic relations in the field of nuclear power engineering. For all the long history of diplomatic relations of Japan, it is the first time when delegation of such high level was formed to conduct negotiations on broadening relationships, investments and partnership between two countries. This visit is unprecedented, and it demonstrates to the world community to what extent Japan considers cooperation with Kazakhstan - in the sphere of nuclear power engineering - as important and perspective.

It will be recalled that in August 2006 “Memorandum on Intentions between Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Japan for Pushing Forward Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy” was signed on the basis of previous arrangement between President of Kazakhstan -N.Nazarbaev - and Ex-Prime-Minister of Japan – D.Koidzumi. Until now both the parties has actively developed certain projects of long-term strategic cooperation in the sphere of joint development of uranium deposits, uranium supply and fuel production.

On 30 April 2007 in Astana (Kazakhstan ) 24 agreements on cooperation in the field of nuclear power engineering were signed between governments of Kazakhstan and Japan, “Kazatomprom” National Nuclear Company (Kazatomprom) and number of leading Japanese companies involved in the activities in the sphere of power engineering, trade and finance.

In particular, the following agreements were signed:

1. Joint statement made by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry – Mr. A.Amari – and Prime-Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Mr. K.Masimov - on strengthening strategic partnership in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.

2. Memorandum on cooperation in personnel training for introduction of light-water nuclear reactors (LWNR) between Agency of Natural Resources and Power Engineering of Japan, Ministry of Power Engineering and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

3. Agreement for cooperation in the sphere of construction of LWNR nuclear power station in the Republic of Kazakhstan between Japanese Nuclear Energy Company, the Committee for Nuclear Power Engineering of МEМR RK, Kazatomprom and National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

4. Memorandum on mutual cooperation in the field of nuclear power engineering between Toshiba and Kazatomprom.

5. Memorandum on mutual understanding in respect of future cooperation in the field of research and development of nuclear power engineering technology between National Nuclear Center of RK and independent administrative legal entity - Japan Atomic Energy Agency - JAEA.

6. Protocol on strategic partnership between Kazatomprom, Marubeni
Corporation, The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Chubu Electric Power.

7. Memorandum on mutual understanding between GNF-J and Kazatomprom.

8. Memorandum on mutual understanding and cooperation in production of nuclear fuel components between Kazatomprom, Kansai, Sumitomo.

9. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Kazatomprom and NFI in cooperation in use of services of nuclear fuel processing.
 

10. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co. Ltd. and Kazatomprom.

11. Memorandum on mutual understanding and confirmation of fulfillment of long-term contracts for purchase and sale of natural uranium concentrate between Itochu and Kazatomprom.

12. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Kazatomprom, Sumitomo, Kansai Electric Power and “APPAK” LLP on fulfillment of agreements related to “APPAK” LLP.

13. Contract for purchase and sale of natural uranium concentrate between Kansai
Electric Power Company, Inc. and “APPAK” LLP.

14. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Tokyo Electric Power Company and “APPAK” LLP.

15. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Japan Atomic Power Company and “APPAK” LLP.

16. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Hokkaido Electric Power and “APPAK” LLP.

17. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Shikoku Electric Power and “APPAK” LLP.

18. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Hokuriko Electric and “APPAK” LLP.

19. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Chugoku Electric Power and “APPAK” LLP.

20. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Kyushu Electric Power and “APPAK” LLP.

21. Loan agreement between “Baiken-U” LLP, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mizuho Corporate Bank.

22. Loan agreement between “Kyzylkum” LLP and JBIC.

23. Memorandum on mutual understanding between Kazatomprom and NEXI in the sphere of provision of trade and investment-insurance line.

24. Contract for long-term purchase of natural uranium concentrate between Kazatomprom and Itochu.

Within framework of current strategic cooperation in the sphere of nuclear power engineering between Kazakhstan and Japan,  Marubeni Corporation Trade Company (Marubeni), Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) and Chubu  Electric Power Company, Inc. (Chubu) (hereinafter jointly referred to as the Companies) have acquired from Kazatomprom share participation through Energy Asia company in “Kyzylkum” LLP and “Baiken-U” LLP companies’ project (current investments’ ratio: Marubeni 60%, TEPCO 30%, Chibu 10%). Tohoku Electric Power Company, Inc. (Tohoku) also decided to participate in the project and plans to acquire share participation in the project from the Companies.

The project includes development of “Kharasan” uranium deposit in southern Kazakhstan (“Kyzylkum” LLP develops “Kharasan-1” mine, while “Baiken-U” develops “Kharasan-2” mine). It is planned to put the project into operation approximately in 2007 with designed increase of annual output of 5000 tons of uranium (combined production) before 2014 and with continuation of the production until 2050. The estimated resources of the said two “Kharasan” mines make 160 000 tons of uranium. The Companies have the right to get in the aggregate up to 2 000 tons of uranium concentrate annually from these two mines.

It is expected that necessary investments will be provided by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) under Natural Resources Financing Project. Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) will provide insurance of foreign investments of the Companies participating in the Project.

Also, on 19 February 2007 President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – N.A.Nazarbaev – signed Law of the RK “On Ratification of Additional Protocol to Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and International Atomic Energy Agency on Application of Guarantees in Connection with the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Signed in Vienna on 6 February 2004”. Presently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RK sent official notice to the depository – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ratification of the additional protocol initiated talks for signing bilateral agreement for cooperation in the field of use of nuclear energy between Kazakhstan and Japan. Establishment of long-term business and partnership cooperation will promote further strengthening and broadening of friendly and constructive relations of two countries.

It will be recalled that delegation of government’s representatives and executives of Japanese leading energy and trade enterprises - headed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry – Mr. A.Amari - who is responsible for energy policy of Japan - arrives on 29-30 April 2007 to Kazakhstan to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial strategic relations in the field of nuclear power engineering. For all the long history of diplomatic relations of Japan, it is the first time when delegation of such high level was formed to conduct negotiations on broadening relationships, investments and partnership between the two countries. This visit shows growing interest of Japan at cooperation with Kazakhstan in the sphere of nuclear power engineering.