An agreement has been signed by 12 universities to improve regional co-operation in transferring nuclear knowledge.

It aims to bring together universities from six countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

It is the fifth regional network launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It aims to collaborate in nuclear education programmes and nuclear industry-oriented training centres.

Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General, said: “This translates into a rising demand for nuclear educational and training programmes to meet a continued necessity for highly qualified nuclear professionals.”

The IAEA recently inspected the safety of a Japanese nuclear plant.