President Barack Obama has revived an agreement on U.S. civilian nuclear-energy cooperation with Russia, citing renewed cooperation with Moscow.
The agreement, which Obama has resubmitted for approval in the U.S. Congress, was set aside by Washington following U.S. protests over Russia's 2008 war with Georgia.
Obama says in a statement that the situation in Georgia no longer should be considered an obstacle to the agreement.
Obama also notes Moscow's cooperation on potential new international sanctions on Iran over that country's nuclear program, saying that the "level and scope of U.S.-Russia cooperation on Iran are sufficient to justify resubmitting the proposed agreement to the Congress."
Obama added that the United States and Russia have "significantly increased cooperation" on nuclear nonproliferation and civilian nuclear energy in the past 12 months.
In April, the U.S. and Russia signed a new treaty calling for significant cuts in the nuclear arsenals of the two countries.
The proposed civilian nuclear agreement permits U.S. and Russian companies to form joint ventures in the nuclear sector and allows transfers of nuclear technology and material between the two countries.
compiled from agency reports
The agreement, which Obama has resubmitted for approval in the U.S. Congress, was set aside by Washington following U.S. protests over Russia's 2008 war with Georgia.
Obama says in a statement that the situation in Georgia no longer should be considered an obstacle to the agreement.
Obama also notes Moscow's cooperation on potential new international sanctions on Iran over that country's nuclear program, saying that the "level and scope of U.S.-Russia cooperation on Iran are sufficient to justify resubmitting the proposed agreement to the Congress."
Obama added that the United States and Russia have "significantly increased cooperation" on nuclear nonproliferation and civilian nuclear energy in the past 12 months.
In April, the U.S. and Russia signed a new treaty calling for significant cuts in the nuclear arsenals of the two countries.
The proposed civilian nuclear agreement permits U.S. and Russian companies to form joint ventures in the nuclear sector and allows transfers of nuclear technology and material between the two countries.
compiled from agency reports