We’re open to nuclear energy deal with US

Dhaka is positive about signing civilian nuclear energy cooperation with the US, State Minster for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said yesterday.

“We are positive. If any agreement with the US is beneficial for our bilateral relations and is in the interest of Bangladesh and its economy, we will proceed. If not, we will reconsider,” she told journalists.

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Shama Obaed made the comment when she was asked about the government position on a US proposal for cooperation on civilian nuclear energy.

The US side shared the draft of an MoU on civilian nuclear cooperation during the meeting between Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on July 30, said a foreign ministry official.

“They [US] are eager to cooperate on peaceful nuclear energy,” he said.

The draft was then shared with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the official said, adding that it is up to the ministry concerned now to decide on the next course of action.

Bangladesh had agreements on civilian nuclear energy cooperation signed with the US in 1981 and then in 1993. However, they were not renewed.

“Cooperation can happen even beyond the MoU, but the fact that the US has shared a draft indicates its eagerness,” the official said.

According to the US State Department, Agreements for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation or 123 Agreements, named after section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, establish a legally binding framework for significant peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and its partners, providing a foundation for long-term, strategic civil nuclear partnerships globally.

US law generally requires a 123 Agreement to be in force before licensing significant exports of US-origin nuclear materials, including nuclear reactor fuel, equipment such as nuclear reactors, and major components, to another partner.

Bangladesh currently has a major nuclear power plant project with Russia. Rosatom is building Bangladesh’s first nuclear facility, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna.

The $13 billion project features two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined generation capacity of 2,400MW, with the first unit entering the final testing and trial power delivery phases.

Amid growing needs for energy supplies and rising prices in the aftermath of Middle East war, Bangladesh has sought more cooperation from Russia.

Foreign ministry officials said Bangladesh is seeking energy cooperation from any country that can provide support not only for the present but also for the future.