Russia, Australia to sign uranium deal in Sep: Ambassador

Moscow, Aug 17 (UNI) Russia and Australia intend to sign a bilateral agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Australia next month Australian ambassador to Moscow Bob Tyson said today.

Under the agreement, Australian uranium would be exported to Russia to be used in Russian nuclear reactors, RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Tyson as saying.

President Putin will visit Australia to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Sydney early next month.

The previous agreement, which was signed in 1990, permitted Australian uranium to be processed in Russia, in the interest of third countries only.

Australia holds about one-half of the world's uranium reserves.

UNI