EARTH: CHINA & PAKISTAN TO SIGN A NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Pakistan, China to sign nuclear energy cooperation agreement

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- Pakistan and China are holding experts-level consultations to finalize the vital energy cooperation agreement in a couple of months, said a report on Thursday.

During the recent visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Pakistan, the two states agreed in principle to enter into a new phase of nuclear energy cooperation, the local newspaper "The Nation" - citing diplomatic sources - reported.

The newspaper said the two time-tested friends were expected to sign the agreement during the visit of the Chinese President to Islamabad in November, this year. However, it added, the decision was delayed as some technical matters were required to be sorted out before the signing of the important pact.

After the conclusion of the ongoing technical level talks, Pakistan Atomic Energy Cooperation (PAEC) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) would sign the landmark agreement that would provide Pakistan two nuclear reactors of 300 megawatts by the end of 2007.

The agreement would be followed by four others in the years to come, it added.

It said further that one important aspect of the new agreement would be the permanent transfer of nuclear reactors building technology to Pakistan. "This will enable Pakistan to carry out 40 percent construction work of nuclear power plants on its own", said diplomatic source. (end) amn.


Pertinent Links:

1) Pakistan, China to sign nuclear energy cooperation agreement