Salehi's Visit to the Czech Republic for Talks on 'Nuclear Safety'

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, has traveled to the Czech Republic for a two-day visit and has begun negotiations with officials from this Central European country regarding nuclear safety. According to the Associated Press, with the lifting of international sanctions against Tehran, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization arrived in Prague on Monday, May 2. The Czech Foreign Ministry states that the focus of Salehi's visit is to expand bilateral relations in the field of nuclear cooperation. Prague officials believe that such cooperation will help in the international oversight of Iran's nuclear program. Based on this report, Iran intends to seek assistance from European countries to improve its civilian nuclear program. Lubomir Zaoralek, the Czech Foreign Minister, stated on Monday after meeting with Ali Akbar Salehi that nuclear cooperation with Iran is a 'great opportunity,' but he did not mention the details of this cooperation. The Czech Republic is heavily reliant on nuclear energy for power generation and intends to build more reactors in this regard. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that during Salehi's meeting with his Czech counterpart, the strengthening of bilateral relations and the exploration of new areas of cooperation, including nuclear cooperation, were discussed. The Iranian Vice President referred to the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers last July, saying, 'Now a new opportunity is before us.' On Monday, Salehi also met with Bohuslav Sobotka, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and visited the Nuclear Research Institute in the 'Rez' area near Prague. According to the Associated Press, after visiting the Czech nuclear institute, Salehi expressed that he was 'truly amazed and astonished by the progress of Czech nuclear scientists in this very sensitive and important technology.' The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization also stated, 'We have decided to start cooperation with several projects and then gradually expand the scope of cooperation.' He mentioned cooperation in the field of nuclear safety as one of these collaborations, adding that Iran wants to enhance its nuclear safety using the experiences of the Czech Republic.