By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Britain have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand their bilateral cooperation, including in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, WAM news agency reported Friday.
UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, and Britain’s Minister of State for Trade and Investment Digby Jones signed the MoU on behalf of their countries at a ceremony here Thursday.
The MOU establishes a framework, through which both countries agreed to cooperate in the further development of the UAE’s civilian nuclear infrastructure and to enhance safety and support for the efforts of the international community to prevent nuclear proliferation.
It further contemplates training and other knowledge-sharing arrangements in various peaceful applications of nuclear energy, including the generation of electricity, nuclear medicine and agriculture.
The signing of the MoU followed the declaration by the Arab nation of a detailed policy document on the evaluation and potential development of peaceful nuclear energy within the UAE.
The UAE policy is based on the principles of complete operational transparency and the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation. It also calls for close and continuous coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as cooperation with the governments and firms of responsible nuclear supplier nations.
Commenting on the agreement, Sheikha Lubna said: “The MoU creates an excellent platform for the UAE to benefit from the high level of technical competence and experience possessed by Britain in the area of peaceful nuclear energy.”
“It also provides a new avenue for deepening this long-standing and important bilateral relationship between the two nations,” he said.
“I am delighted to sign this important agreement. It opens the way to a new and exciting chapter in the active practical cooperation between the two countries, and it epitomizes the forward-looking agenda we share,” said Lord Jones.
“We welcome the UAE’s responsible approach to developing a civil nuclear programme and the UAE Government’s commitment to maximising security, confidence and transparency,” the British minister added.
The signing ceremony was attended by a number of high-profile officials from both the countries.