Australia confirms Taiwan uranium deal

The Australian government has confirmed that Australian uranium can be exported to Taiwan.

The confirmation comes just a day after Australia and China signed a nuclear safeguards agreement, which clears the way for the Australian uranium industry to export to China.

Two major Australian companies are now said to have signed contracts to supply uranium to Taiwan - despite concerns that Taiwan is unable to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty because it is not officially recognised as an independent country.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the deal to export uranium to Taiwan was completed with help from the United States.

"I can confirm that it's possible to export Australian uranium to Taiwan under arrangements that we negotiated with the United States back in 2000, well they were concluded in 2002," he said.

"So it is possible to do and so they can negotiate contracts and if they're all in order then those exports can take place, but only via the United States."

- RADIO AUSTRALIA