UAE | Government
Sarkozy confirms UAE nuclear deal
French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that he will sign a nuclear cooperation deal with the UAE during his regional tour.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:14 January 13, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Arab countries should have the rights to civilian nuclear programmes being enjoyed by other countries.
London: French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed yesterday plans to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the UAE amid reports French firms could construct up to two nuclear reactors in the country.
Sarkozy said in an interview with pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat before a three-day visit to Gulf states: "My visit to the United Arab Emirates will be ... the occasion to sign an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Obligations
"I have said often that the Muslim world does not have less rights than the rest of the world to use civilian nuclear power to meet its energy needs in full conformity with the obligations that derive from international law."
French companies Areva, Total and Suez could build two, third-generation nuclear plants in the UAE , Al Jazeera Television said on Sunday.
France has already made similar agreements with Algeria and Libya.
"The sharing of civilian nuclear [technology] will be one of the foundations of a pact of confidence which the West must forge with the Islamic world," Sarkozy said after signing a deal with Algeria last month.
Sarkozy's latest move comes as US President George W. Bush tours the region to rally support for his policy of isolating Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
Sarkozy is due in the UAE on Tuesday. He arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and will visit Qatar on Monday.
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