Gulf states 'have right to adopt nuclear technology'

Abu Dhabi: Gulf states have the right to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Sergie Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, said here yesterday.

Lavrov made his remarks following his meeting with Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister. The Russian minister was briefed on the visit by GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah to Vienna where he will discuss cooperation with the IAEA.

"We are in favour of respecting the right of the faithful members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty to have access to peaceful use of nuclear energy," Lavrov told reporters after his meeting with Shaikh Abdullah. He said Russia has proposed the setting up of a multilateral enrichment centre that would be certified by the IAEA.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his first visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday, had offered to help the Kingdom develop a nuclear energy programme.

Also on the agenda of the talks were the Iranian nuclear issue, the Iraq situation and the Palestine question. Lavrov said he briefed Shaikh Abdullah on Russia's efforts to seek a just and peaceful solution to the current issues.

Lavrov said bilateral trade would soon reach $1 billion, and explained that an agreement was reached with the UAE to increase bilateral investments.