S. Korea, UAE sign nuclear energy cooperation accord

DUBAI, June 22 (Yonhap) -- Prime ministers of South Korea and the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) signed a deal Monday to cooperate in the field of nuclear energy,
paving the way for South Korean energy giants to participate in a bid to
construct the Middle Eastern country's first nuclear power plant.
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo held talks with his UAE counterpart, Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, in Dubai before signing the cooperation deal, Han's aides
said, noting it will set the legal ground for a Korean consortium to participate
in the bidding of the construction of the UAE's first nuclear power plant.
Han arrived in Dubai, the capital of the UAE, on Saturday for a three-day visit.
The UAE government plans to build the nation's first atomic power plant by 2017
as part of its efforts to reinforce its energy security and help ease global
warming.
With the international bidding for the UAE atomic power plant set to begin in
September, the Korean consortium, led by the state-run Korea Electric Power
Corp., is expected to face stiff competition from French and American rivals, led
by Areva SA and General Electric Co., respectively.
At the bilateral talks, the two prime ministers agreed to further elevate
bilateral relations, particularly ahead of 2010, which marks the 30th anniversary
of the establishment of their diplomatic ties, according to the aides.
They also discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of
construction and renewable energy, while agreeing to boost ties in regional and
international politics, according to the aides.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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