LONDON: While the technical particulars and political conditions of the nuclear agreement between Saudi Arabia and the US are yet to be fully revealed, there has been an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the news among experts and commentators in both countries.
And, as a statement on Wednesday from the Saudi Ministry of Energy noted, the deal has not come out of the blue. The Agreement for Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, it said, “builds on the historic strategic partnership between the two friendly countries.”
Most immediately, it follows the announcement made during the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US last year, “on the conclusion of negotiations on bilateral cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”
Historically, US-Saudi energy cooperation has led to momentous developments. The seeds of what would become Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, were sown in 1933, when Saudi Arabia signed a concession agreement with the Standard Oil Company of California.
Furthermore, the ministry added, the deal “reflects the shared vision of both countries to expand cooperation in energy and future technologies while supporting sustainable development.” But just how far back that vision extends will come as something of a surprise to many people.
