Türkiye, US agency sign nuclear technology grant deal

Türkiye and the United States have signed a grant agreement to assess next-generation nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and fourth-generation reactors.

Türkiye Nuclear Energy Inc. (TUNAS) and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed the agreement during a ceremony at Türkevi in New York, according to Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

Bayraktar said the agreement would allow Türkiye to conduct a detailed assessment of the technical, economic and regulatory feasibility of advanced nuclear technologies.

He said the initiative supports Türkiye’s long-term plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2053 and strengthen energy independence. Ankara also aims to diversify its energy sources while developing a modern and reliable energy infrastructure.

The minister said Türkiye would continue developing large-scale nuclear power projects while examining other technologies that could meet the country’s future energy needs.

The agreement was announced during the UN General Assembly week in New York, where Türkiye and the US also discussed broader bilateral relations.

NATO remains important to Türkiye-US ties

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Chief Foreign Policy and Security Adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic said relations between Ankara and Washington extend beyond defence cooperation.

Speaking at a panel on Türkiye-US relations, Kilic said NATO remains an important pillar of the relationship between the two countries.

The event was organised by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate in New York. Several diplomats and foreign policy experts also participated in the discussion.

Kilic said changing regional conditions had transformed the strategic environment around Türkiye since the 1950s and 1960s. He described Türkiye as an important factor for stability in its surrounding region.

Cagri Erhan, deputy chairman of the Presidential Council for Security and Foreign Policy, highlighted the long historical background of Türkiye-US relations.