D-8 supports peaceful nuke power

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | July 17, 2008 by D-8 Secretariat

The Developing Eight has reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing efforts on the development of alternative fuels, including renewable sources of energy and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The members’ commitment to this and to capacity building, transfer of technology and exploration of new sources of supply were part of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration issued at the end of the Sixth D8 Summit last week.

This was among the 25 points made in the Declaration, endorsed and accepted by all the eight member countries - Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria and Malaysia, which also mapped out the importance of co-operation among members to see economic success among them.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the group did not object to Iran’s use of nuclear energy as long it was for peaceful purposes, adding that other groups, like the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement were not against it.

“Nobody (among D8) is against it as long as it is for peaceful use,” he said when asked to comment if the inclusion was to show support to Iran, which was facing mounting pressure from the powerful Western countries for the country to stop its uranium enrichment programme.

Speaking at a joint press conference with other leaders, Abdullah said none of the members were about to embark on using nuclear energy themselves.

“We are not about to do this. Certainly not. We are merely itemising the sources of energy that can be developed in view of the current energy crisis,” he said.

The Prime Minister said with the adverse effects of global economic crisis, D8 countries have agreed to enhance efforts to co-ordinate their various positions in international forums and negotiations through collective measures and enhance regional co-operation to ensure the continued relevance of the group.

He said while trade was a vital area of international activity benefiting both developed and developing countries, an equitable global trading regime should take into account the conditions of developing countries to ensure their economic wellbeing.

News/photosource: BERNAMA News Agency.

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