UAE, Frace close to clinch nuke deal

Dubai, Jan 15: France and UAE would sign a civilian nuclear cooperation deal during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to the Gulf nation commencing today.

The deal would be among various other agreements expected to be inked in the fields of defence, transport and education. The French president, who will arrive in Abu Dhabi this afternoon, would hold talks with his UAE counterpart Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This will be the second meeting between the two leaders in six months. The first was in Paris in July last year during Shaikh Khalifa's visit there.

The talks had focused on avenues to develop and expand the cooperation between the two countries at all levels. The two leaders had also exchanged views on the latest Arab, regional and international developments and issues.

The UAE and France then agreed on putting into effect their 1980 agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear technology to produce electricity. Shaikh Khalifa had officially invited President Sarkozy to visit the UAE which was accepted by him.

UNI