France and Kuwait sign nuclear deal

France Kuwait Nuclear

The oil-rich state of Kuwait has taken steps to ensure a more secure energy and economic future in the face of dwindling reserves of the natural resource.

The Middle East state has signed a 20-year peaceful nuclear cooperation deal with France, one of the world's largest producers of nuclear power, officials said.

The deal is combined with Kuwait's previous announcement that it is to set up a civilian nuclear project mainly to produce power and also established a national committee for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Subject to international treaties the deal allows the "supply of nuclear material, equipment and facilities". It also envisions training, exchange of technology information and research.

"Experience in the nuclear field"

Head of France's Atomic Energy Commission, Bernard Bigot, told reporters during a visit to parliament, "This is the first step of cooperation and to share experience in the nuclear field."

"It is to help Kuwait (develop) nuclear energy ... and to assist it to decide for its future needs," Bigot added.

However the plans do not stipulate the building of a nuclear power plant any time in the near future, but Ahmad Bishara insisted that Kuwait do have the "will, resources and the need" to carry out the project.

Plans to build a nuclear power plant in Kuwait were first outlined last June when French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde held talks with Kuwaiti officials.

No military intentions

Lagarde said Kuwait's emir, crown prince and prime minister proposed to "pursue, deepen and accelerate" cooperation on the nuclear project. Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, said in February that the nuclear project aims to produce electricity in a bid to save large quantities of fuel being consumed by power and water desalination plants, as reported by Middle-East-Online.com.

Kuwait have had to make it absolutely clear, both to France and the international community that they have no military intentions in the nuclear field and that its vision falls in line with international law.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is planning joint nuclear power project for peaceful means on a relatively large scale as the region looks to develop atomic energy in the light of a continuing standoff between the West and Iran over its programme of uranium enrichment.

There is a concern among Gulf states that Iran's more sinister intentions when it comes to nuclear development may harm the opportunities of the rest of the Middle East.

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