France and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to start civil nuclear cooperation, local media reported Tuesday.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, between Hashem Yamani, director of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and Eric Besson, French Minister of Industry and Energy, the local daily Le Figaro reported, citing a statement from the French embassy in Saudi Arabia, Xinhua reported.
Faced by rising domestic energy demands, especially in electricity, that could cut into its oil exports, Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its sources of energy. The country's energy minister, Ali al-Naimi, has mentioned nuclear and renewable energy as main alternatives.
According to French reports, the Arabian country is also in discussions with Russia on civilian nuclear cooperation, after having concluded a similar agreement with the United States.