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Britain to sign major global nuclear energy agreement

26/02/2008

Business secretary John Hutton is set to sign a major global nuclear energy agreement on behalf of the UK.

Mr Hutton will sign the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) today during a two-day visit to Washington DC.

The business secretary will also meet with US energy companies to discuss potential investment in new nuclear developments in the UK.

The UK will become the 21st country to sign the international partnership which aims to promote the expansion of nuclear energy while at the same time reducing waste and the threat of proliferation.

It is believed the signing of the GNEP will allow nations to share experiences, information and technology involved in nuclear power.

"The UK shares in the vision of improved non-proliferation and nuclear waste management and recognises the real benefits of initiatives such as GNEP to implement the right solutions and further develop international standards and best practice," said Mr Hutton.

The business secretary claimed the agreement would allow the UK to share its nuclear knowledge internationally.

"With the UK's advanced knowledge and capabilities, particularly in nuclear waste management, GNEP open up the potential for UK organisations to share their expertise globally through tapping into international projects and building business partnerships," he said.

"With a new generation of nuclear energy now set to be part of the UK's future energy mix, the UK is in position to play a role in this global initiative."

The signing of the GNEP follows an announcement by Mr Hutton recently of new proposals aimed at encouraging nuclear power stations to be built in the UK.