Iran on Sunday voiced readiness to help the Russian contractor of Bushehr power plant, in southern Iran, increase its liquidity to inaugurate the plant on due time.
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Reza Aqazadeh was speaking to reporters on the financial problems of the Russian contractor building Bushehr power plant. "The Russian company needs Iran's help with respect to its liquidity problem to inaugurate Bushehr power plant in due time. We are ready to enhance the Russian side's liquidity, although it is not within Iran's legal commitments," Aqazadeh said, according to IRNA.
Atomstroiexport Company is Russia's national agent and general contractor for construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr. "It is necessary for us to hold occasional sessions with Russia before opening the plant. "Inauguration of Bushehr power plant is important for Iran," the AEOI head added.
On Friday, Russia warned Iran that the Bushehr nuclear plant could face further delays unless Tehran moved to resolve a payment row after days of talks ended with no resolution to the dispute.
A Russian nuclear official told Reuters that nothing had been resolved in three days of talks and lashed out at Iranian negotiators for making public statements they said were detrimental to the talks.
Aqazadeh said, "Iran's nuclear case has been turned into a political issue. Every country is using the issue based on its particular situation."
Referring to considerable delays occurred in opening Bushehr power plant, Aqazadeh voiced hope the Russian side would not enter political issues at the current circumstances that there are talks about resolutions against Iran by the UN Security Council.
"The Russian contractor has changed more than eight of its managers so far. It has received payments from Iran which have not been used in due sectors," he said.
