UAE & US working out N-energy pact

The United Arab Emirates has said it had agreed to a draft pact with the United States for civilian nuclear cooperation, the first such deal between Washington and a Middle East nation.

"The United Arab Emirates and the United States have completed their negotiations concerning signing a proposed draft of the civilian nuclear cooperation deal, a foreign ministry official said in a statement.

The deal which comes even as the US is spearheading a campaign against Iran's nuclear drive involves the exchange of nuclear materials and components for civilian use, he said.

"We are certain the treaty shows the transparency which the UAE's civilian nuclear programme is based upon," the UAE ambassador to the Unite States, Yussef al-Otaibi said in the statement. The deal, which is currently being discussed with members of the US Congress, contains special measures to ensure top levels of security and safety, as well as curb nuclear proliferation, he said.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the deal still had to clear many legislative and other hurdles before it takes effect. "And where we stand right now with the UAE is I believe that we have a common understanding about a text," McCormack said, specifying that one has not been signed yet.