Saudi Arabia, Russia sign nuclear power cooperation deal

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudi Arabia, Russia sign nuclear power cooperation deal​

KHOBAR, SAUDI ARABIA
World| Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:31am BST

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) toasts with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Russia Abdulrahman Al-Rassi after receiving a diplomatic credential from him during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 28, 2015.​

REUTERS/SERGEI KARPUKHIN

Saudi Arabia and Russia have signed an agreement to cooperate on nuclear energy development, a Saudi government body in charge of such projects said.

The government body, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, announced the cooperation deal on its website on Thursday but gave no further details.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV, citing unnamed sources, said the kingdom planned to build 16 nuclear reactors in which Russia would play a significant role in operating them.

The Saudi atomic and renewable energy body has already signed nuclear cooperation deals with countries able to build reactors, including the United States, France, Russia, South Korea, China and Argentina.

It is not clear if this new deal, announced on Thursday, will take cooperation with Russia to a more advanced level.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was due to meet his counterpart Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in St Petersburg on Thursday to discuss a broad cooperation agreement.

In 2012, Saudi Arabia said it aimed to build 17 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2032 as well as around 41 GW of solar capacity. The oil exporter currently has no nuclear power plants.

Nuclear and solar power stations would reduce the diversion of Saudi Arabia's oil output for use in domestic power generation, leaving more available for export.

(Reporting by Reem Shamseddine. Editing by Jane Merriman)

Saudi Arabia, Russia sign nuclear power cooperation deal| Reuters

Russia ties to touch new heights

ARAB NEWS

Published — Wednesday 17 June 2015

Last update 18 June 2015 5:28 pm

JEDDAH: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, will begin an official visit to Russia on Wednesday and hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, a Royal Court statement said.
Prince Mohammed’s landmark visit to Moscow comes on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the statement said, adding that the minister would meet with a number of Russian officials to explore prospects of expanding cooperation between the two countries.
The royal visit will witness the signing of a number of agreements in various fields and will contribute to further bolstering relations between the two countries, an official statement said. The visit is in response to an invitation from the Russian government.
Prince Mohammed had held talks with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Oleg Ozerov on regional developments during the past two months.
Saudi-Russian relations began in 1926 when the Soviet Union recognized Saudi Arabia, thus becoming the first foreign country to recognize the Kingdom. In 1930 the Soviet Consulate was upgraded to an embassy.
High-level exchanges of visits played a big role in strengthening relations. King Faisal, the a prince representing the king, visited Soviet Union in 1932. King Abdullah’s visit to Russia in 2003 — when he was crown prince — took the Saudi-Russian ties to new heights as he met with President Putin.
During that visit the two countries signed agreements for expanding cooperation in energy, science and technology. King Abdullah also opened an exhibition of Saudi products in Moscow, organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers.
King Salman visited Russia in 2006 — when he was the governor of Riyadh — and the visit contributed to further strengthening ties. Prince Sultan visited the country in 2007 when he was the crown prince and defense minister. Prince Sultan received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of International Relations in Moscow. That visit also expanded trade and economic ties.

Saudi-Russia ties to touch new heights | Arab News

Pacts boost KSA-Russia relations

King Salman to visit Russia as ties between oil giants warm up

ENERGY PARTNERS: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday. (SPA)
​

ARAB NEWS

Published — Friday 19 June 2015

Last update 20 June 2015 1:38 am

ST. PETERSBURG: Saudi Arabia and Russia on Thursday signed a number of strategic military, nuclear and oil agreements.
The agreements were inked on the sidelines of a historic meeting between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has accepted Putin’s invitation to visit Russia. This was disclosed by Prince Mohammed during his meeting with Putin.
“King Salman has confirmed that he has accepted the president’s invitation to visit Russia,” said the prince.
On behalf of the king, Prince Mohammed extended an invitation to Putin to visit Saudi Arabia.
The Russian president said he would be happy to visit the country. “I remember the warm reception I received in Saudi Arabia,” Putin said.
Prince Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia considered Russia an important partner and recalled that the Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the Kingdom in 1926.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia and Russia signed a military pact and an agreement to cooperate in using nuclear energy for peaceful ends.
According to Russian news agencies, the agreement creates a legal basis for cooperation between the two countries in the field of nuclear energy in a wide range of areas, including building nuclear energy reactors and providing services in the nuclear fuel cycle, for nuclear power stations and research reactors, among other things. The agreement includes handling spent fuel and radioactive waste, and the production of radioactive isotopes and their application in industry, medicine and agriculture. It also concerns the training of staff.
The agreement was signed as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) President Hashim Yamani and Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom Director Sergey Kiriyenko signed the document on behalf of their governments.
Saudi and Russian oil ministers also signed a broad-based cooperation agreement.
The deputy crown prince’s visit was successful by all means, as is reflected in a number of agreements signed between the two sides. This will open the door wide open to further boosting cooperation between the two oil giants.
The high-profile delegation accompanying the deputy crown prince includes a number of businessmen as well as senior military and economic officials.

Pacts boost KSA-Russia relations | Arab News

------

​

Recently I learned that Russia was the first country in the world who recognized KSA. Historically Arabs and Russians have never been in conflict. Well, Arabs controlled Caucasus for centuries but back then no ethnic Russians were living there. Moreover Russian ties in the Arab world especially since 1919 have traditionally been strong (during the Cold War in particular) and are now growing in regards to Arab countries like Egypt, Iraq. Algeria has been a traditional Russian ally for decades.

KSA and the GCC as a whole can cooperate with Russia on many fronts and there is really no reason to have hostile relations at all. Regardless of differences when it comes to Syria. We gut feeling (which I wrote about weeks ago before this important KSA-Russia meeting) was that Russia would not try to keep Al-Assad in power at all costs.

Despite differences in terms of politics on certain areas there is no need for any hostility and both those countries and regions should increase mutually beneficial cooperation.

KSA and Russia should try and help find a solution in Syria so that conflict can stop.

@vostok

 

[vostok]

Saudi Arabia, Russia sign nuclear power cooperation deal​

KHOBAR, SAUDI ARABIA
World| Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:31am BST

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) toasts with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Russia Abdulrahman Al-Rassi after receiving a diplomatic credential from him during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 28, 2015.​

REUTERS/SERGEI KARPUKHIN

Saudi Arabia and Russia have signed an agreement to cooperate on nuclear energy development, a Saudi government body in charge of such projects said.

The government body, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, announced the cooperation deal on its website on Thursday but gave no further details.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV, citing unnamed sources, said the kingdom planned to build 16 nuclear reactors in which Russia would play a significant role in operating them.

The Saudi atomic and renewable energy body has already signed nuclear cooperation deals with countries able to build reactors, including the United States, France, Russia, South Korea, China and Argentina.

It is not clear if this new deal, announced on Thursday, will take cooperation with Russia to a more advanced level.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was due to meet his counterpart Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in St Petersburg on Thursday to discuss a broad cooperation agreement.

In 2012, Saudi Arabia said it aimed to build 17 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2032 as well as around 41 GW of solar capacity. The oil exporter currently has no nuclear power plants.

Nuclear and solar power stations would reduce the diversion of Saudi Arabia's oil output for use in domestic power generation, leaving more available for export.

(Reporting by Reem Shamseddine. Editing by Jane Merriman)

Saudi Arabia, Russia sign nuclear power cooperation deal| Reuters

Russia ties to touch new heights

ARAB NEWS

Published — Wednesday 17 June 2015

Last update 18 June 2015 5:28 pm

JEDDAH: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, will begin an official visit to Russia on Wednesday and hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, a Royal Court statement said.
Prince Mohammed’s landmark visit to Moscow comes on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the statement said, adding that the minister would meet with a number of Russian officials to explore prospects of expanding cooperation between the two countries.
The royal visit will witness the signing of a number of agreements in various fields and will contribute to further bolstering relations between the two countries, an official statement said. The visit is in response to an invitation from the Russian government.
Prince Mohammed had held talks with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Oleg Ozerov on regional developments during the past two months.
Saudi-Russian relations began in 1926 when the Soviet Union recognized Saudi Arabia, thus becoming the first foreign country to recognize the Kingdom. In 1930 the Soviet Consulate was upgraded to an embassy.
High-level exchanges of visits played a big role in strengthening relations. King Faisal, the a prince representing the king, visited Soviet Union in 1932. King Abdullah’s visit to Russia in 2003 — when he was crown prince — took the Saudi-Russian ties to new heights as he met with President Putin.
During that visit the two countries signed agreements for expanding cooperation in energy, science and technology. King Abdullah also opened an exhibition of Saudi products in Moscow, organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers.
King Salman visited Russia in 2006 — when he was the governor of Riyadh — and the visit contributed to further strengthening ties. Prince Sultan visited the country in 2007 when he was the crown prince and defense minister. Prince Sultan received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of International Relations in Moscow. That visit also expanded trade and economic ties.

Saudi-Russia ties to touch new heights | Arab News

Pacts boost KSA-Russia relations

King Salman to visit Russia as ties between oil giants warm up

ENERGY PARTNERS: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday. (SPA)
​

ARAB NEWS

Published — Friday 19 June 2015

Last update 20 June 2015 1:38 am

ST. PETERSBURG: Saudi Arabia and Russia on Thursday signed a number of strategic military, nuclear and oil agreements.
The agreements were inked on the sidelines of a historic meeting between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has accepted Putin’s invitation to visit Russia. This was disclosed by Prince Mohammed during his meeting with Putin.
“King Salman has confirmed that he has accepted the president’s invitation to visit Russia,” said the prince.
On behalf of the king, Prince Mohammed extended an invitation to Putin to visit Saudi Arabia.
The Russian president said he would be happy to visit the country. “I remember the warm reception I received in Saudi Arabia,” Putin said.
Prince Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia considered Russia an important partner and recalled that the Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the Kingdom in 1926.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia and Russia signed a military pact and an agreement to cooperate in using nuclear energy for peaceful ends.
According to Russian news agencies, the agreement creates a legal basis for cooperation between the two countries in the field of nuclear energy in a wide range of areas, including building nuclear energy reactors and providing services in the nuclear fuel cycle, for nuclear power stations and research reactors, among other things. The agreement includes handling spent fuel and radioactive waste, and the production of radioactive isotopes and their application in industry, medicine and agriculture. It also concerns the training of staff.
The agreement was signed as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) President Hashim Yamani and Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom Director Sergey Kiriyenko signed the document on behalf of their governments.
Saudi and Russian oil ministers also signed a broad-based cooperation agreement.
The deputy crown prince’s visit was successful by all means, as is reflected in a number of agreements signed between the two sides. This will open the door wide open to further boosting cooperation between the two oil giants.
The high-profile delegation accompanying the deputy crown prince includes a number of businessmen as well as senior military and economic officials.

Pacts boost KSA-Russia relations | Arab News

------

​

Recently I learned that Russia was the first country in the world who recognized KSA. Historically Arabs and Russians have never been in conflict. Well, Arabs controlled Caucasus for centuries but back then no ethnic Russians were living there. Moreover Russian ties in the Arab world especially since 1919 have traditionally been strong (during the Cold War in particular) and are now growing in regards to Arab countries like Egypt, Iraq. Algeria has been a traditional Russian ally for decades.

KSA and the GCC as a whole can cooperate with Russia on many fronts and there is really no reason to have hostile relations at all. Regardless of differences when it comes to Syria. We gut feeling (which I wrote about weeks ago before this important KSA-Russia meeting) was that Russia would not try to keep Al-Assad in power at all costs.

Despite differences in terms of politics on certain areas there is no need for any hostility and both those countries and regions should increase mutually beneficial cooperation.

KSA and Russia should try and help find a solution in Syria so that conflict can stop.

@vostok

I already posted this news in Europe section.
Trade is good. But Asads - longstanding partners and allies of Russia.
Who will trust Russia if it stop helps the allies?

 

[Saif al-Arab]

I already posted this news in Europe section.
Trade is good. But Asads - longstanding partners and allies of Russia.
Who will trust Russia if it stop helps the allies?

KSA had good ties with Al-Assad before the conflict erupted. Al-Assad's family has even intermarried with the House of Saud.

Ties were cordial and quite close during the late King Abdullah rule. You can google that or see pictures. Bashar al-Assad was one of the guests when KAUST opened too in 2009.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A solution should be reached in Syria but regardless of Syria or not the GCC or the Arab world as a whole and Russia has no reason to any hostility and should cooperate on fronts that are beneficial for both.

I think that it was a good step of King Salman and Putin to improve the ties further and kickstart cooperation on several fronts one of them nuclear energy.

Also Arabs have no hostility towards Russians and there are many Arab-Russian intermarriages and during the Cold War many Arab students from Pro-Soviet Arab countries went to Russia and Eastern Europe to study and married locals. They are in the 1000's upon 1000's. I know such people personally.

 

[Steve781]

Get ready for a huge number of pro Saudi items on RT. The same thing happened with Turkey. For about a year it was Erdogan the Sultan, Erdogan the Islamist fanatic, Erdogan the American stooge. Then as soon as he agreed to the pipeline they were all proclaiming how wonderful Erdogan was.

 

[xenon54 out]

Get ready for a huge number of pro Saudi items on RT. The same thing happened with Turkey. For about a year it was Erdogan the Sultan, Erdogan the Islamist fanatic, Erdogan the American stooge. Then as soon as he agreed to the pipeline they were all proclaiming how wonderful Erdogan was.

Almost like western media accusing Turkey for supporting isis but suddenly becoming quiet once Turkey agreed to train FSA together with US.
Welcome to the media war.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Get ready for a huge number of pro Saudi items on RT. The same thing happened with Turkey. For about a year it was Erdogan the Sultan, Erdogan the Islamist fanatic, Erdogan the American stooge. Then as soon as he agreed to the pipeline they were all proclaiming how wonderful Erdogan was.

Is that not normal for most media? I mean once the BBC were singing praises of Saddam before he turned into a bad guy. Many such examples regardless of media. Of course some are worse than others.

KSA is a supposed ally of the UK but that does not stop British tabloids from often reporting false absurdities from KSA. It happens once a month or so. Many times it's even posted on PDF and often it turns out to be bogus.

Recently I read an article in The Guardian about renewable energy and in particular solar and wind energy in KSA and the wording of that article was that "evil KSA" tried to become a renewable energy "monster" like KSA is in OPEC and that it's not done to save the nature etc. Like it was a secret that a sovereign state is looking for their interests first and foremost.

You could sense the animosity from the writer from first hand despite it objectively speaking being good news (renewable energy is good for the nature etc.).

Here is the article. Even the thread title is ridiculous. Like it was a secret that KSA of all places has a huge potential in terms of solar and wind energy etc.

Saudi Arabia: an unlikely ally in the march towards renewable energy | Molly Scott Cato | Comment is free | The Guardian

In any case KSA and Russia has no reason to be enemies let alone Arabs and Russians in general Russians have had beef with many of their immediate neighbors (Poles, Ukrainians, Balts in the Baltic States, Finns, Caucasian peoples, Japanese, Turks although they are not neighbors anymore etc.) but there has been no such thing with Arabs. Often relations are tense due to past experiences.

In any case it will be seen what those agreements will develop into.

The GCC should focus on being a bridge and should continue having cordial ties will all powers be it the US, China (biggest trading partner), Europe, Russia or the emerging markets. Aside from fellow Arab and Muslim countries and immediate neighbors.

Syria as of now remains a stumbling block though.

 

[IR-TR]

Honestly, a lot of text, but no concrete steps were taken. What's going to be purchased/built? And oh yeah, let's see Russia milk Saudi Arabia for all they got for the next 20 years, while delivering absolutely nothing.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Honestly, a lot of text, but no concrete steps were taken. What's going to be purchased/built? And oh yeah, let's see Russia milk Saudi Arabia for all they got for the next 20 years, while delivering absolutely nothing.

Are you trolling or can't you read? Nor is anyone going to "milk" anybody. Just because Russia has scammed Iran for decades it does not mean that it happens with other countries. Iran is sanctioned and isolated and easy to screw over due to your moronic leaders. Sorry that's the reality.

Ok, since you don't bother reading long texts this should work.

An agreement for the construction of 16 reactors in Saudi Arabia

Several other deals and agreements were signed. Some have probably not even been made public to begin with.

KSA has reached agreements on the nuclear energy front with France, South Korea, USA, China etc. KSA has plenty of allies to work with and chose from so nobody is going to screw KSA over.

 

[Indos]

@Saif al-Arab

Interesting development indeed, Russia also has started a cooperation with Indonesia in nuclear technology just recently. Russia starts to make friends every where now...

International support for Indonesian plans
Russia's Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy with BATAN in June 2015. This is designed to lead to other areas of cooperation beyond the HTR project, including the possibility of constructing Russian nuclear power units in Indonesia.

In July 2007 Korea Electric Power Corp. and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's PT Medco Energi Internasional to progress a feasibility study on building two 1000 MWe OPR-1000 units from KHNP at a cost of US$ 3 billion. This was part of a wider energy collaboration.

Nuclear Power in Indonesia

About Indonesia's nuclear taken from that website

Nuclear Power in Indonesia
(Updated June 2015)

• Indonesia has a greater depth of experience and infrastructure in nuclear technology than any other southeast Asian country except Australia.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

@Saif al-Arab

Interesting development indeed, Russia also has started a cooperation with Indonesia in nuclear technology just recently. Russia starts to make friends every where now...

International support for Indonesian plans
Russia's Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy with BATAN in June 2015. This is designed to lead to other areas of cooperation beyond the HTR project, including the possibility of constructing Russian nuclear power units in Indonesia.

In July 2007 Korea Electric Power Corp. and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's PT Medco Energi Internasional to progress a feasibility study on building two 1000 MWe OPR-1000 units from KHNP at a cost of US$ 3 billion. This was part of a wider energy collaboration.

Nuclear Power in Indonesia

About Indonesia's nuclear taken from that website

Nuclear Power in Indonesia
(Updated June 2015)

• Indonesia has a greater depth of experience and infrastructure in nuclear technology than any other southeast Asian country except Australia.

They are in a vulnerable situation due to the sanctions imposed on them so they are looking for new partners. Normally their partners and sphere of influence is limited to former Soviet Republics and immediate areas (Mongolia) etc. But take Central Asia for instance. Their entire economy put together is smaller than the economy of 10 million big UAE and they are rich in natural resources too.

In fact tiny Qatar has almost as big an economy as all of Central Asia. Can you imagine that?

Nominal GDP (2012) $295.331 billion (Central Asia)

Central Asia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GDP (nominal) 2014 estimate
- Total $213.784 billion[4]
(Qatar)

Qatar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GDP (nominal) 2015 estimate
- Total $440.181 billion[3] (28th)
(UAE)

United Arab Emirates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Speaks volume.

Anyway it really annoys me greatly that ties between the GCC and Arab world and Indonesia (South East Asia as a whole) are not even closer. But we have had this discussion for years now my brother. If I reach any position of importance either in a state apparatus or business wise I will definitely look towards South East Asia. In fact I already encourage investors and people from the GCC to do that.

 

[IR-TR]

Are you trolling or can't you read? Nor is anyone going to "milk" anybody. Just because Russia has scammed Iran for decades it does not mean that it happens with other countries. Iran is sanctioned and isolated and easy to screw over due to your moronic leaders. Sorry that's the reality.

Ok, since you don't bother reading long texts this should work.

An agreement for the construction of 16 reactors in Saudi Arabia

Several other deals and agreements were signed. Some have probably not even been made public to begin with.

KSA has reached agreements on the nuclear energy front with France, South Korea, USA, China etc. KSA has plenty of allies to work with and chose from so nobody is going to screw KSA over.

Sure, Iran as a much bigger power is much easier to milk than Saudi Arabia, good logic. And nothing final has been signed, no down payments have been made. I'd like to look back at this thread in about 5 years. If even a single peace of concrete had been poured, I'll eat my hat.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Sure, Iran as a much bigger power is much easier to milk than Saudi Arabia, good logic. And nothing final has been signed, no down payments have been made. I'd like to look back at this thread in about 5 years. If even a single peace of concrete had been poured, I'll eat my hat.

What are you talking about? Iran a "much bigger power"? In what terms? Sanctions, isolation, poverty, bad economy? Anyway you are back to trolling I see. Not interested.

But anyway you already know that you have been milked by Russia and others (India, China, West etc.) exactly due to your isolation and sanctions. That does not mean that Russia, India or China are crooks. They don't "milk" the GCC for instance or other partners despite GCC-Chinese trade reaching almost 300 BILLION dollars on a yearly basis.

 

[xenon54 out]

@Saif al-Arab interesting that Russia started to spread it Nuclear love around the globe.

Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Well to be fair Turkish-Russian agreement was signed in 2010, long before the sanctions plus we have also Americans, Chinese, Japanese and French in other projects.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

@Saif al-Arab interesting that Russia started to spread it Nuclear love around the globe.

Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Well to be fair Turkish-Russian agreement was signed in 2010, long before the sanctions plus we have also Americans, Chinese, Japanese and French in other projects.

It's good for Turkey to cooperate with Russia, the West and other powers as Turkey serves as a bridge between East and West. "Alienating" each power would be silly. Better to have mutual beneficial cooperation.

Yes, KSA also has signed deals with South Korea, France, China, Japan and now Russia. I also believe the US is there. At least they cooperate with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and as you now KSA and the US are longstanding partners.

King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For instance more Saudi Arabian students are studying at US universities per capita than any other nationality. In terms of sheer numbers KSA is number 4. Only behind 1.3 billion big China, 1.2 billion big India and 55 million big South Korea.

"But the numbers have grown steadily since 2005 and doubled from the 2010 to 2012 academic years, according to a recent survey. The number of Saudi students in the U.S. last year grew to 44,566 — a nearly 30% increase from 2011.
The country ranked behind only China, India and South Korea in the number of students studying in U.S. colleges and universities."

More Saudi Arabians studying in the U.S. - latimes

I see no reason to why KSA (wider GCC too) and Turkey could not work on this front too. But to be fair both countries are novices in terms of nuclear energy compared to those heavyweights mentioned. But with time almost everything can be achieved as long as you work hard and are dedicated.

 

[xenon54 out]

It's good for Turkey to cooperate with Russia, the West and other powers as Turkey serves as a bridge between East and West. "Alienating" each power would be silly. Better to have mutual beneficial cooperation.

Yes, KSA also has signed deals with South Korea, France, China, Japan and now Russia. I also believe the US is there. At least they cooperate with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and as you now KSA and the US are longstanding partners.

King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For instance more Saudi Arabian students are studying at US universities per capita than any other nationality. In terms of sheer numbers KSA is number 4. Only behind 1.3 billion big China, 1.2 billion big India and 55 million big South Korea.

"But the numbers have grown steadily since 2005 and doubled from the 2010 to 2012 academic years, according to a recent survey. The number of Saudi students in the U.S. last year grew to 44,566 — a nearly 30% increase from 2011.
The country ranked behind only China, India and South Korea in the number of students studying in U.S. colleges and universities."

More Saudi Arabians studying in the U.S. - latimes

I see no reason to why KSA (wider GCC too) and Turkey could not work on this front too. But to be fair both regions are novices in terms of nuclear energy compared to those heavyweights mentioned. But with time almost everything comes with hard world and dedication they say.

I really wonder why KSA needs Nuclear Energy considering ''oil being cheaper than water'' there, at least we have an excuse that we have almost no fossile energy and heavily dependent on foreign imports but you on the other hand.


Hmm, very interesting, why is KSA investing in Nuclear energy considering it wont be much cheaper than its own energy reserves.