Australia considers to sell uranium to Russia

The federal government on Thursday announced that Australia had paved the way to sell uranium to Russia, despite conservationists' concerns about environmental damage and military ramifications.

The former Howard government struck a deal to start exports, but that treaty has not been ratified.

A parliamentary committee in 2008 warned against allowing the deal to go ahead.

However, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said in a statement the treaty "provides appropriate safeguards for the supply of Australian uranium for use in Russia's civil nuclear sector."

The treaty would ensure the uranium could only be used for peaceful purposes, and only in facilities approved by Australia, the statement noted.

"The safeguards enshrined in the Agreement are consistent with Australia's long-standing and strict requirements to ensure the peaceful use of Australian uranium," the ministers said.

The statement said the government was yet to make a final decision about ratifying the treaty.

Source: Xinhua