By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France signed a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement here Tuesday, WAM news agency reported.
The agreement, which was signed by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The agreement is one of various bilateral cooperation agreements signed during the French President’s visit to the UAE.
Under the agreement, the UAE and France will form a joint committee to oversee cooperation in the areas of nuclear power generation, water desalination, basic and applied research, as well as, in the fields of agronomy, earth sciences, medicine and industry.
“The UAE is trying to create a framework for the evaluation and possible implementation of a peaceful nuclear programme, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of non-proliferation, safety and security,” Sheikh Abdullah said after signing the agreement.
He added that UAE was looking for cooperation in the field of nuclear energy with various governments including the US, Germany, the France, Russia, China, and Britain as well as with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Sheikh Abdullah expressed hope that UAE’s efforts would serve as a model for non-nuclear countries to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes with the full support of the international community.