Kuwait and France in neuclear deal

Kuwait and France signed on Thursday a cooperation agreement for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, officials said. The oil-rich emirate had announced plans to set up a civilian nuclear project mainly to produce power and also established a national committee for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. "This is the first step of cooperation and to share experience in the nuclear field," the head of France's Atomic Energy Commission, Bernard Bigot, told reporters during a visit to parliament. "It is to help Kuwait (develop) nuclear energy ... and to assist it to decide for its future needs," Bigot said. The secretary general of Kuwait's national committee on nuclear energy Ahmad Bishara said the agreement "does not stipulate the building of a nuclear power plant at this stage." But he added that Kuwait has "the will, the resources and the need" to do so. The 20- year agreement allows the "supply of nuclear material, equipment and facilities" and is subject to international treaties.