US, Saudi Arabia agree to civil nuclear deal: Energy Department

The US and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a deal that will allow the Kingdom to develop its civil nuclear program, the US Energy Department said on Wednesday.

“These agreements reflect our two nations’ shared commitment to strengthening US-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said.

Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a “peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, commonly known as a 123 agreement, alongside an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement,” the Department of Energy said in a statement. “Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear nonproliferation.”

Wright said the deal would uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation. “Thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is underway and will deliver long-term benefits to the American and Saudi people,” he added.

DOE said the agreement would be trasmitted to Congress for review and that it would create high-paying US jobs, strengthen US energy and national security posture, and deepen the strategic US-Saudi partnership.

DOE said this would also strengthen the United States’ competitive edge in civil nuclear technology. “The 123 agreement provides great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program, benefiting American industry, workers, and supply chains while helping to meet Saudi energy needs.”