Saudi Arabia: Nuclear Power Programme
Debate between Baroness Rawlings and Lord Wood of Anfield(1 month ago)
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Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for that question. We speak freely and honestly with the Saudis on human rights and a range of other issues, and we will continue to do so. However, the Saudis are, of course, commercial partners and important security allies. The key thing for reassurance on issues such as this is the international treaty framework within which such treaties will be conducted. The reassurance comes from the fact that both the US and Saudi Arabia are parties to the NPT; that the IAEA will be in receipt of the treaty, which includes bilateral safeguards; and that both countries have comprehensive safeguards agreements in place.
Baroness Rawlings (Con)
My Lords, have the Government had any conversations with the Sultanate of Oman?
Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)
We have regular discussions with all our Gulf partners. I will leave it at that.