UAE and Australia sign Uranium Agreement

(Abu Dhabi) – UAE signed an agreement with Australia to import Uranium for it planned nuclear power plant. The deal was finalised by UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Australian counterpart Bob Carr. Giving the details of the agreement during a Press conference in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdullah said Australia will be a strong supplier of uranium for the UAE’s peaceful nuclear power programme.
Elaborating on the choice of Australia as a major nuclear power plant fuel supplier, Sheikh Abdullah said: “Australia has huge reserves of uranium to fulfil and meet the UAE’s demands for its atomic power plant.” He also said over the years the relations between the two countries have been growing with a large number of Australian companies setting up businesses here.
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said he was delighted to announce the signing of the agreement. Under the accord, his country will supply uranium to the UAE under a long-term programme, he said. Carr said: “This is very important and strategic agreement to supply the UAE with uranium for its civilian nuclear programme. We both sides are committed to the agreement.” Carr said that the agreement was drafted carefully with a number of articles on the safety, use and safe disposal of the nuclear material.