Saudi cabinet gives nod to nuclear pact with Russia

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

RIYADH - The Saudi government on Monday approved plans to establish a pact with Russia on peaceful

Abdul Aziz Khoja

World's largest oil supplier takes strong interest in developing nuclear energy for domestic use.

nuclear cooperation, a government spokesman said.

It authorised the head of the new King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energies to draft a pact with Moscow on nuclear cooperation, Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja told the official SPA news agency.

It was the latest sign of the world's largest oil supplier taking a strong interest in developing nuclear energy for domestic use.

In July, the cabinet gave the nod to a similar pact with France, which diplomats say is close to being ready for signing. That follows a 2008 nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States.

In April, the government announced the establishment of the centre for research and development into nuclear and renewable energies, and named former commerce minister Hashem bin Abdullah Yamani as its head.

Plans are being drawn up to construct the centre in the desert northwest of Riyadh, officials said at a water and electricity conference in early October