Jordan, China sign nuclear cooperation pact

Middle East News.Net
Tuesday 19th August, 2008 (IANS)

Jordan and China Tuesday signed an agreement for cooperating in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, mainly in electricity generation and water desalination, an official statement said.

The accord provides for cooperation between the two countries in 'basic and applied research and development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, building and operation of nuclear energy stations and reactors, exploration of minerals and disposal of nuclear waste', the statement added.

'The agreement lays down the legal and political framework for starting serious nuclear cooperation between the two countries,' Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Commission Khalid Touqan said after the signing ceremony.

He said the two countries would also cooperate in the extraction of uranium from several areas in Jordan and building a nuclear reactor in the country.

It was the fourth agreement to be signed between Jordan and a nuclear country. Earlier this year, the Jordanian government concluded similar agreements with Canada, France and Britain.

Jordan and other Arab countries have focused attention over the past two years on building their own nuclear capabilities after Iran went ahead in its drive to possess advanced nuclear know-how.

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