Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday said that he and visiting U.S. President George W. Bush had agreed to a joint nuclear action plan on cooperation on civil nuclear energy.
The plan includes research and development, skills and training and regulatory issues.
The United States would also back Australia's bid to become a member of an international forum to develop next generation nuclear energy systems.
"Australia intends to participate in the global nuclear energy partnership and there'll be great benefits in terms of access to nuclear technology and non-proliferation," Howard said at a joint press conference with Bush after a meeting between the two leaders in Sydney.
"The United States will support Australian membership in the Generation IV International Forum which involves R&D (research and development) to develop safer and better nuclear reactors," he said.
The two leaders discussed a number of vital issues including Iraq, Iran, lasting settlement between Israel and the Palestinian people and climate change aspects of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The two countries also signed a security treaty which allows Australia to get more access to secret U.S. military technology.
Bush arrived in Sydney Tuesday night amid tight security for the APEC leaders meeting, which will be held on Sept. 8 to 9.
But he will head home earlier than other leaders to hear a reassessment report on recent U.S. military surge in Iraq by the U.S. commander in Baghdad.
