US and Türkiye sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
Washington, D.C.-London
By Alpaslan Düven
In a significant development underscoring the strengthening of U.S.-Turkey relations, President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation at the White House today. The agreement, formalized by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks a pivotal step in deepening the two nations’ collaboration in the nuclear energy sector.
Minister Bayraktar described the MoU as the commencement of a “new process” aimed at enhancing the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between Turkey and the United States in nuclear energy. While specific details of the agreement were not disclosed, it is anticipated to encompass areas such as joint development of nuclear reactors, technology transfer for fuel management, and collaborative research initiatives.
This agreement builds upon the 2008 U.S.-Turkey 123 Agreement, which laid the groundwork for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two countries. The new MoU is expected to expand upon this foundation, facilitating more comprehensive and strategic nuclear collaboration.
The signing ceremony occurred during President Erdoğan’s first White House visit in six years, reflecting a shift towards warmer bilateral ties under President Trump’s administration. Discussions between the leaders also touched upon other critical issues, including the potential reversal of the U.S. ban on F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey, which had been imposed following Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
The U.S. administration’s willingness to engage in nuclear cooperation with Turkey aligns with broader efforts to bolster energy security and technological partnerships with NATO allies. As Turkey seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, this agreement positions both nations to benefit from shared expertise and resources in the nuclear energy domain.
While the full scope and implementation timeline of the MoU remain to be detailed, the agreement signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening U.S.-Turkey ties and advancing mutual interests in the realm of nuclear energy.