RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and France are close to finalizing a civil nuclear cooperation pact that could lead to the sale of French atomic energy technology, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said here yesterday.
A deal could be completed “soon,” Lagarde said after a day of meetings with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf and other top officials.
“The talks have progressed well,” she added.
Lagarde gave no details of what would be covered by the agreement, but officials said it could be completed and signed by the end of 2009.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has signed civilian nuclear deals with Algeria and Libya, offered the Kingdom help last year to develop civilian nuclear energy.
A few months later, the United States said it would help Saudi Arabia to develop peaceful nuclear energy.
Russia has also expressed interest in helping the Kingdom develop a civilian nuclear energy program.
The Gulf Cooperation Council said in 2007 it was studying a joint nuclear energy program and had been in touch with the UN atomic energy watchdog about cooperating over such a scheme.
At the Riyadh news conference, Lagarde said France has renewed its pledge to cooperate in the oil sector and in any effort to help improve the global economic situation.
Paris has also sought participation in the multibillion dollar Saudi railway project by offering its expertise in the high-speed train project linking the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
During her talks with King Abdullah, Lagarde handed him a message from Sarkozy.
— With input from agencies
