§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy in respect of nuclear co-operation with Russia and China. [40248]
§ Dr. Liam FoxIn September we signed a bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The agreement provides a framework within which firms can pursue business and expert exchanges. With our G8 colleagues, we attended the Moscow summit on nuclear safety and security. The summit underlined the close co-operation between Russia and the G7 in solving nuclear safety problems in eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union. It also identified further action to be pursued. Russia has now ratified the international convention on nuclear safety, and signed the Vienna convention on nuclear liability.
China is becoming increasingly important in the civil nuclear power section. We are actively seeking to strengthen our civil nuclear co-operation with them at both official and industry levels. We welcome China's decision to attend the conference on nuclear safety in Asia, to be held in Tokyo on 5 and 6 November, which the United Kingdom will also attend.