United States and Malaysia Sign Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation and Launch Negotiations for a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

Today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan of Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU) with the aim of advancing peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Malaysia.

The United States and Malaysia enjoy a longstanding and multifaceted diplomatic relationship strengthened by decades of cooperation in security, energy, and commerce.  The signing of this NCMOU marks an important step toward establishing a robust civil nuclear partnership between the United States and Malaysia.

In addition, the two countries have launched negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement. The launching of negotiations for a civil nuclear cooperation agreement (123 Agreement) advances the Trump Administration’s Executive Order 14299, “Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security” and will promote international civil nuclear cooperation; advance American energy dominance, establish multidecade strategic energy partnerships with U.S. allies and partners; and promote the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.

123 Agreements establish a legally binding framework for significant peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and its partners, providing a foundation for long-term, strategic civil nuclear partnerships globally.  123 Agreements also aid the United States economy by promoting U.S. commercial competitiveness in the global civil nuclear market and providing greater opportunities for increased civil nuclear sales globally.