UAE, Korea cooperate

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde (right) meets with South-Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo: both Korea and France have technology of use t

The UAE and South Korea have signed an agreement paving the way for closer co-operation in nuclear energy.

Under the agreement, South Korean will help the UAE develop its civilian nuclear programme by transferring nuclear technology, equipment and expertise for a period of 20 years, according to reports on the UAE state news agency.

The UAE has signed earlier similar agreements with France, the US and the UK.

The South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, on a three-day official visit to the UAE, signed the agreement with HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

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His visit comes as consortiums from South Korea, France, the US and Japan compete for a US $40 billion to build and operate a fleet of nuclear reactors. Reports indicate the contract is due to be awarded on September 16, after the number of consortiums is narrowed to two during the summer.

Also making progress on the nuclear issue is Kuwait, which is to hold talks with major French nuclear contractor Areva regarding the Gulf state developing nuclear power stations in the country. 

News agency Reuters reported that French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde has met with Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti ruler and had discussed the development of nuclear energy capital partnerships between French companies and Kuwait.

Kuwait has been trying to develop its nuclear for some time to help ever-growing domestic demand for electricity and water desalination.

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