Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the United States that lays the foundation for long-term cooperation in civilian nuclear energy. The memorandum, signed in Washington on Wednesday by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, establishes the legal basis for a decades-long partnership between the two nations.
The US Department of Energy stated that the agreement will advance economic and strategic goals, including preventing nuclear proliferation. Secretary Wright emphasized that the deal upholds the highest standards of safety and non-proliferation.
The signed 123 Agreement will be submitted for Congress's review under the US Atomic Energy Act. Congress has 90 days to consider the agreement and potentially block it through a joint resolution.
The US administration said the agreement will provide opportunities for American companies in Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy market and strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. The Department of Energy added that the move will create jobs and deepen the strategic partnership.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal differs from the 2009 US-UAE agreement in that it will allow Riyadh to domestically enrich uranium and not require it to adopt the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Additional Protocol. These differences could raise concerns among some lawmakers, the newspaper reported.
