Jordan, Turkey ink nuclear deal
By IANSThursday, February 17, 2011
AMMAN - Jordan and Turkey have agreed to share their nuclear expertise and explore the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The nuclear cooperation agreement signed Thursday entails exchanging of expertise and cooperation in operation, renewal and maintenance of nuclear reactors, Xinhua reported.
“The signing of the agreement is a milestone in relations between Jordan and Turkey and it attracts further international support for Jordan’s nuclear programme,” said Khaled Toukan, Jordan’s energy minister.
He said: “The signing of several nuclear agreements with different countries provides Jordan with a political cover and necessary support as we live in a sensitive part of the world.”
President of the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority Thafer Alber said his country is ready to provide Jordanian students and experts with training at its facilities.
The two countries have agreed to form a joint working group to implement a series of projects in the field of scientific research and exchange of technical expertise.
Jordan, which is planning to build three to four nuclear reactors for electricity generation, has signed similar agreements with other countries including France, South Korea, China, Canada, Russia, Britain, Spain, Argentina, Japan, Romania and Italy.
In October 2009, Jordan announced the launch of the site feasibility study for the Kingdom’s first nuclear power plant.
