Pro-westerners plotting to 'smear' RNPP project: Envoy

Certain pro-western quarters are hatching plots to smear the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, says the Russian envoy in an indication of some developments on the diplomatic front.

Ambassador Alexander Vikentyevich Mantetskiy, while rolling out fresh plans of extensive cooperation with Bangladesh at a Dhaka function Thursday, also had a word on a planned meeting between the Ukrainian president and Bangladesh's prime minister in Munich.

Addressing the media interaction programme organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB), he alleged that certain quarters are deliberately exaggerating minor shortcomings unavoidable in any project of such scale, while turning a blind eye to its benefits.

"The Rooppur NPP flagship project is moving according to the schedule. Among the recent milestones, there is the installation of the passive heat-removal system at Unit 2. The first unit is expected to start pilot operation by the end of this year."

Safety has always been the top priority of JSC "ASE" - general contractor of the project. Russian specialists use the most advanced engineering solutions and technologies, said the Russian ambassador in Bangladesh.

"The same VVER-1200 reactors that are installed at the Roppur NPP are already in operation in Russia, having proved their efficiency and reliability. They can survive almost everything - from earthquake to a plane crash" he added.

"Rooppur NPP will make a considerable contribution to Bangladesh economic development and energy security," he said about the spinoffs from the nuclear power.

He reassured that Russia would assist Bangladeshi partners throughout the entire lifecycle of the nuclear project, including obligations for the long-term deliveries of reactor fuel, plant maintenance, and handling nuclear waste.

Rooppur is more than just a power plant. Dozens of Bangladeshi companies provide their services and materials for construction works.

"The NPP project will create a new sector of economy with more than 18 thousand workplaces for locals," the diplomat said, adding that through training of Bangladeshi students in nuclear universities in Russia and at the education centre at Rooppur itself, Russia assists in adding a large number of skilled engineers to the Bangladesh economy capable of bringing a meaningful contribution not only to the nuclear industry but also to other sectors.

Asked for his comment on the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Munich security conference, the Russian envoy said Mr Zelenskyy wanted this meeting because he will try to garner support of Bangladesh for his peace formula.

"But his formula is conceived by the western powers."

Speaking about economic cooperation, he said Bangladesh remains Russia's second-largest trade partner in South Asia after India.

"In January-November 2023, the trade volume amounted to $2.3 billion."

The Russian envoy said his country is interested in diversification of its export basket by supplying machinery, equipment and technologies necessary for railway, road construction, building, metallurgy and other industrial spheres.

About Russian contribution to the food security of Bangladesh he said despite artificial and counterproductive obstacles created by the western countries, Moscow continues to export to Bangladesh key agro-industrial products, mainly wheat and fertilizers.

In 2023, Bangladesh imported 2.7 million tonnes of grains from Russia, he said, offering Russian side's readiness to expand the list of export items with edible oils, peas, chickpeas and lentils.

On energy-sector cooperation he said energy has been the backbone of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

In 2023, Gazprom continued projects aimed at enhancing Bangladesh energy security. The construction of three additional wells on Bhola Island was completed, bringing the total number of drilled wells to twenty.

He also mentions that the company's proposals for gas evacuation and exploration of new fields are under consideration.

"There are more offers and projects in the pipeline, such as the supply of Russian LNG and crude oil for further local refining, Russian solar energy technologies, upgrade of local power stations, and more," he says on vast vistas of economic cooperation.

"All in all, judging by the outcomes of the year 2023, Russia-Bangladesh relations have proven to be resilient and strong, both politically and economically. 2024 seems to be equally promising," he adds.

He affirms that together with Bangladeshi partners, Russia is eager to expand and diversify areas of mutual interest for the sake of the two peoples.

"It leaves no one doubt that we have all prerequisites for that and share the same commitment."

He points out that during the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Dhaka, the two sides reaffirmed their intention to continue mutually beneficial cooperation, outlined promising bilateral projects and exchanged views on a wide range of issues.

On Gaza situation, he said as regards the conflicts between Israel and Palestine, Russia believes that Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including the seizing of hostages, deserves to be wholly condemned.

"Yet, Israel, as an occupying power, cannot and should not use this to justify the collective punishment of millions of Palestinians in the occupied territory in violation of the standards and principles of international humanitarian law."

The envoy reiterates Russia's principled and unwavering position: this conflict of many years cannot be resolved militarily and can only be settled politically and diplomatically by establishing a full-fledged negotiating process on an internationally recognised legal basis which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem, living in peace and security with Israel.

About the Ukraine situation he said, "During the 10-year rule of the criminal Kiev regime, Ukraine has lost 53.7 per cent of its population and one-fifth of its territories. More than 10.5 million people have fled the country, while 11.2 million people have chosen to settle in Russia."

The diplomat categorically says that "western military manufacturers are among the major beneficiaries of the Ukrainian conflict".

"Sadly, the fraternal Ukrainian people have become a hostage of the Western masters, with the Kiev regime serving their interests at the expense of its own citizens. By bowing to Western wishes, Ukraine has lost its subjectivity and allowed to be turned into a lever against Russia. But for Russia, Ukraine has always been and will remain a half-sister with shared history, religion and culture, a place where our relatives and friends were born and live."

DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib and Secretary Ashiqur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

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