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Official News - May 2007
► Negotiations to expand the Australia-Russia Nuclear cooperation agreement
Australia and Russia have commenced negotiations on expanding their 1990 nuclear cooperation agreement to bring its scope into line with Australia’s other nuclear agreements.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, announced on 27 April that Australia and Russia had started negotiations on expanding the 1990 Australia-Russia agreement concerning the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The aim is to bring the scope of this agreement into line with Australia’s other nuclear agreements, specifically to allow Russia to use Australian uranium in nuclear power reactors. The expanded agreement will retain and build on the strict safeguards conditions contained in the current agreement in line with Australia’s other safeguards agreements.
Australian and Russian officials met in Canberra 23-26 April; good progress was made and a second round of negotiations is planned for Moscow in late May.
An important factor paving the way to these negotiations was Russia’s decision in 2006 to separate its military and civil nuclear programs and place civil facilities under its safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Providing uranium exports to Russia is consistent with our growing trade relationship. Russia is planning a significant expansion of its nuclear energy industry over the next two decades, which offers clear environmental benefits over relying on fossil fuels for base-load power.
The proposed agreement is also expected to provide a framework for broader scientific and commercial cooperation between Australia and Russia.
► Australia provides humanitarian assistance to North Korea
Australia is assisting North Korea meet its ongoing humanitarian needs particularly in health, hygiene and nutrition by providing nearly $4 million in assistance.
A visit by Australian senior officials to North Korea in March confirmed the pressing need for humanitarian assistance. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, 37 percent of North Koreans suffer from malnutrition, and two-thirds of North Korean children do not receive enough food because of a one million tonne food shortfall. Many North Koreans do not have access to clean water and adequate sanitation.
Australia’s assistance will be delivered through United Nations agencies and the International Red Cross. Australian will give the World Food Programme $1.5 million to help it provide food for 1.9 million North Koreans. It will provide $1.5 million to support the United Nations Children’s Fund water and sanitation program. The World Health Organisation will receive $467,000 to supply emergency health services and essential medicines. The International Red Cross will be provided with $500,000 to support disaster management initiatives and water supply and sanitation programs.