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Australia signs agreement to sjavascript:void(0)ell uranium to Ukraine

Xinhua, April 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop announced on Friday that her government has signed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Ukraine, enabling Australia to export uranium to Ukraine.

Ukraine is one of the world's top 10 generators of nuclear power.

Bishop said in a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all exports of Australian uranium will be subject to internationally agreed security standards and will be strictly controlled to ensure Australian nuclear material is only used for peaceful purposes.

Bishop signed the agreement with Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn during the nuclear security summit in the United States.

Under the Agreement, the use of Australian nuclear material for the development of weapons or explosive devices is strictly prohibited.

"This agreement provides Ukraine with the opportunity to diversify its energy supply and will enhance bilateral cooperation between Australia and Ukraine on nuclear-related activities, including nuclear safeguards, security, safety and science," Bishop said.

Australia currently has 24 Nuclear Cooperation Agreements allowing export of uranium to 43 countries and regions.

Australia holds almost a third of the world's uranium resources but supplies around 10 percent of global production. In 2014-15 Australia exported more than 5,500 tons of uranium, generating more than half a billion dollars in export income. Endit