Russia-Burundi nuclear energy deal in final stage - Lavrov

On a trip to Burundi, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said preparation for an inter-governmental deal on nuclear energy is in its final stage.

Mr Lavrov made the remarks on Tuesday after holding talks with Burundi's Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro in Bujumbura, Russia's state news agency Tass reports.

The two countries signed a nuclear energy roadmap deal in November last year, in which Russia agreed to assist Burundi set up atomic plants.

"The roadmap on nuclear energy has already been signed between Rosatom [Russian state energy corporation] and its Burundian partners," Mr Lavrov said.

He said both parties were committed to co-operating in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Before his departure for Mozambique, Mr Lavrov met Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye for further bilateral talks.

The visit comes as part of Mr Lavrov’s tour of African nations, following his recent trip to Kenya and ahead of his arrival in South Africa.

Mr Shingiro reiterated that Burundi would not take sides in Russia's war against Ukraine.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.
Photo: MFA Russia/ Twitter