DUBAI, Jan 16 (Bernama) — France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement relating to the evaluation and potential use of nuclear energy for peaceful purpose.
The deal was sealed during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Abu Dhabi Tuesday, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Under the agreement, the UAE and France will form a high-level joint committee to oversee cooperation in the areas of nuclear power generation, water desalination, basic and applied research and also in the fields of agronomy, earth sciences, medicine and industry.
It was signed by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, WAM reported.
Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE was conducting wide consultations to create a responsible framework for the evaluation and possible implementation of a peaceful nuclear programme, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of non-proliferation, safety and security.
Towards this end the UAE is undertaking high-level government-to-government consultations with the governments of the US, Germany, France, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea.
The initiatives are in addition and complementary to the UAE’s commitment to be part of the Gulf Cooperation Council-wide initiative to explore the potential for peaceful nuclear power generation in the GCC.
Media reports said that Tuesday’s agreement makes the UAE the third Arab country to ink a nuclear cooperation deal with France, after Algeria and Libya. Sarkozy on Monday reiterated an offer to share civilian nuclear technology with the Muslim world.
Amid concerns over Iran’s nuclear aims and regional clout, GCC members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE decided in December 2006 to develop a joint nuclear technology programme for peaceful uses.
During Sarkozy’s stop in Doha, ahead of Abu Dhabi, a memorandum of understanding was also inked by Qatar with Electricite de France (EDF) to discuss cooperation in the production of nuclear power and renewable energies.