UAE and US complete negotiations on peaceful nuclear energy agreement

Washington: The UAE and the United States have completed negotiations on the proposed text for a bilateral cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, a UAE Foreign Ministry source said.

This "123 Agreement" would allow the transfer of nuclear-related components and materials between the two countries.

"As is normal in these matters, representatives of the US administration and the UAE Government are working closely with members of the Congress to inform them about the agreement and seek their views," said Yousuf Al Otaiba, UAE ambassador to the US.

"We are confident that the agreement highlights the transparency of the civilian nuclear energy programme the UAE is embarking on and should be lauded as the gold standard of nuclear cooperation agreements," he said.

"It is the view of the UAE government that the proposed UAE 123 Agreement sets a new standard in ensuring the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation within the UAE programme," he said.