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Rubio highlights significance of civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia

23 July 2026 13:06 (UTC +04:00)

The United States believes that cooperation with Saudi Arabia on a peaceful civilian nuclear program is in Washington's interest, APA reports.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the remarks to journalists on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Rubio said that the United States is not the only country offering nuclear technology, but when a country decides to pursue a peaceful civilian nuclear program, Washington prefers that it do so in cooperation with the United States rather than with another country.

"Overall, we are not the only country in the world offering nuclear technology. When countries decide to pursue a peaceful civilian nuclear program, we want them to do it with us rather than with another country. This gives us a certain degree of influence over the direction that program takes. At the same time, it allows us to ensure that the necessary safety and oversight mechanisms are in place, along with other safeguards. As for Saudi Arabia, it has been an important strategic partner for us for many years. Therefore, it would make sense for us to conclude such an agreement. Of course, once the agreement is announced, you will be able to see its details and understand its contents. More importantly, the document will undergo the congressional review process. That is one of the key stages of the process, and many additional questions will be answered at that point," Rubio stressed.

Marco Rubio United States Saudi Arabia civil nuclear program nuclear agreement nuclear technology Washington ASEAN Manila U.S. Congress strategic partnership