MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina and United Arab Emirates sign nuclear energy agreement

Cristina Fernandez and President Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan

Ministers from Argentina and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding on peaceful uses of nuclear energy during the official visit to Abu Dhabi of Argentine president Cristina Fernandez.

The bilateral agreement was signed by UAE Foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Argentine counterpart Hector Timmerman, at a ceremony witnessed by President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner and UAE president Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan. The deal makes Argentina the ninth country to have signed nuclear ties with the UAE.

Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the deal was similar to those signed with other nations. The UAE has signed nuclear agreements with the US, the UK, South Korea, Japan, France, Canada, Russia and Australia since 2009.

“The agreement constitutes a framework which governs and facilitates cooperation in the area of peaceful nuclear energy and related applications between the two countries,” Mr Al Kaabi said. “It allows the transfer of knowledge, technology and nuclear material to the UAE.

”Argentina has a well-developed nuclear sector with multiple nuclear power plants in operation, as well as a strong industry base for nuclear research, human resources development and training, which the UAE is interested to benefit from.”

The country has had two nuclear reactors running in Buenos Aires and Cordoba since 1974, with a third reactor expected to be operational by June.

Cristina Fernandez expressed interest in developing relations in the economic, investment, tourism and space sectors.

Both leaders also agreed on deals involving air transport, fisheries and livestock. The air-transport agreement was signed by Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and Mr Timerman.

The fisheries and livestock agreement was signed by Norberto Yahuar, Argentina's agriculture minister, and Dr Rashid bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water.

The third agreement, for peaceful cooperation on space issues, was signed for the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, the UAE's space program, and the Argentine National Space Activities Commission, by the foreign ministers.