La Nación

President Ms.Cristina Kirchner met with her Brazilian peer, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and signed a series of agreements, one of them about nuclear cooperation. It was anticipated that there will be announcements in the next days on the issue.

If the agreement will remain at political terms or it will evolve toward concrete achievements is still a question mark.

As part of the agreement, a reactors’ project will be set in motion, one for each country, for the naval industry as for medicinal uses.

Lula issued a strong criticism towards the United States government and a defense of the Iranian government, when he urged the United Nations Security Council member states to “dialogue” with Tehran’s regime “before increasing the sanctions” because of its nuclear policies.

Moreover, Brazil ratified its support to the Argentine claim against Great Britain over the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands (Falkland), South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands. This was thanked by Ms.Kirchner after a meeting involving the Foreign Affairs and Economy Ministers.

“It was not just another declaration, because for the first time Brazil talks about this. We are deeply thankful”, said Cristina Kirchner at the Civic Center of San Juan, after the Mercosur summit.

Three joint declarations were signed. The one of nuclear cooperation was not explained by Cristina Kirchner. “We are both convinced that every country has the right to develop their own nuclear energy projects, obviously within the framework of nuclear non proliferation that all States have signed, with pacific and alternative ends of energy” said Ms.Kirchner.

It was only known that a joint project of a multipurpose nuclear reactor is being developed. Two models will be fabricated, one by each country, financed by Brazil, which would be later paid by Argentina and Brazil.

Previous experience related to the nuclear cooperation agreement signed in February 2008  poses reservation about a positive evolution of the binational endeavour where almost nothing could be fulfilled regarding the presidential intentions to develop a joint enrichment company and a joint power reactors project. The main issue which makes any advance significantly complex is related to the management of nuclear technology, given both countries are reluctant to share or transfer proprietary technological developments.

The agreement's future will depend on how this key issue is finally managed. 

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