Vietnam is seeking urgent discussions with Russia to accelerate its commercial nuclear programme and sign an investment cooperation agreement for a first nuclear power station in the central province of Ninh Thuan as soon as August.

The country aims to have its first nuclear facility online in Ninh Thuan before the end of 2031 and a second between 2036 and 2040, but negotiations with partners are slower than required, Bloomberg reported (subscription required).

The government has asked authorities to “urgently organise negotiations” with Russia to move forward on signing an investment cooperation agreement, according to a statement posted on the Vietnamese government’s website.