Riyadh, July 23 (SANA) Saudi Arabia and the United States signed an agreement on Wednesday to expand cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, formalizing a civilian nuclear partnership between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
According to SPA, the agreement provides a framework for cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, including the exchange of expertise, technology and knowledge, while adhering to international standards on nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation.
The agency said the deal builds on existing energy cooperation between the two countries and is intended to support energy diversification, advanced technology development and investment opportunities.
The signing follows an announcement made during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman‘s visit to the United States last November that negotiations on a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement had been completed.
Earlier on Wednesday, a U.S. official said President Donald Trump had approved the agreement, which allows Saudi Arabia to enrich nuclear fuel for its civilian reactors under a 30-year cooperation framework.
Saudi Arabia has long sought to develop a civilian nuclear program as part of its strategy to diversify energy sources, while successive U.S. administrations have pursued a framework for nuclear cooperation with the kingdom.
T.S /ABD
