PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 7 JULY 1979
AUSTRALIA/ UNITED KINGDOM NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, said that he was pleased
that, at last, an Australia/ United Kingdom Nuclear Safeguards
Agreement could become a reality following the announcement
of formal agreement by the European Commission.
Australia and the United Kingdom had attempted to meet
earlier the objections of the European Commission
concerning legal issues. These issues were not concerned
with safeguards or safety measures. However, at no stage
was Australia prepared to compromise on our own stringent
safeguards requirements.
Mr. Fraser said that in his discussions with the
British Prime Minister in Canberra last weekend, he had
emphasised the importance of an Australia/ United Kingdom
agreement and was grateful that, as a result of these
discussions, Mrs. Thatcher had personally intervened
with the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jenkins.
The announcement of the Australia/ United Kingdom Agreement,
coming immediately after the signing of the Australia/ United States
Nuclear Safeguards Agreement in Canberra, is one of
major significance, further demonstrating Australia's
commitment to non-proliferation objectives and the avoidance
of the misuse of nuclear materials.
Mr. Fraser said that in his statement to Parliament on
August 1977, he had emphasised that Australia had an
international responsibility to provide energy to an energy
deficient world. At a time of severe worldwide energy and
fuel shortages, supply of Australian uranium under new
contracts could take place when these safeguards agreements
were in place.
Mr. Fraser said that it was now time for significant
progress to be made in the negotiation of an Australia/ Euratom
Nuclear Safeguards Agreement and he looked forward to
co-operation between the European Community and Australia
in this regard. 000---