U.S.-Russia Civilian Nuclear Agreement Enters Into Force

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (right) and the U.S. ambassador to Russia, John Beyrle (file photo)

A civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between Russia and the United States entered into force today.

The so-called 123 Agreement came into force with an exchange of diplomatic notes between Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle in a ceremony in Moscow.

The deal, which passed U.S. congressional review last month, allows the United States and Russia to exchange nuclear energy technology, engage in joint commercial nuclear ventures, and work more closely in combating nuclear proliferation.

It was signed in Moscow in May 2008, but President George W. Bush shelved it when relations between the United States and Russia reached a post-Cold War low during the war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008.

President Barack Obama revived the agrement earlier this year as part of a "reset" of U.S.-Russia relations.

compiled from agency reports