Australia undecided on Russia uranium deal
ABC Radio Australia
The Australian foreign minister, Stephen Smith, says Australia has not yet decided if it will ratify a deal to suppy uranium to Russia for non-military use.
Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, says Australia assured Russia at the APEC meeting in Peru that it would do everything possible to sign-off on a nuclear co-operation agreement.
But Mr Smith says the government is still considering the deal and Mr Lavrov is being optimistic.
"What I assured him of and what the prime minister assured President Medvedev of is that we're going through a parliamentary process," he said.
"We'll respond to the parliamentary committee's report in due course and we'll bear not just our bilateral relationship with Russia in mind but also their recent conduct."
Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, says Australia assured Russia at the APEC meeting in Peru that it would do everything possible to sign-off on a nuclear co-operation agreement.
But Mr Smith says the government is still considering the deal and Mr Lavrov is being optimistic.
"What I assured him of and what the prime minister assured President Medvedev of is that we're going through a parliamentary process," he said.
"We'll respond to the parliamentary committee's report in due course and we'll bear not just our bilateral relationship with Russia in mind but also their recent conduct."