Russia and the United States have signed an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Moscow by Sergei Kirienko, head of the Russian nuclear energy monopoly Rosatom, and U.S. Ambassador to Russia William Burns.

William Burns gave positive comments on the signing of the agreement.

"This agreement provides a framework within which we can work together to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and within which we can make it available to other countries in ways which can guard against the dangers of the spread of nuclear weapons."

Outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush initiated the deal in July 2006.

Moscow and Washington have made proposals to set up an international cartel to offer nuclear fuel cycle services, including uranium enrichment, and to establish a global nuclear energy partnership to develop innovative reactors and fuel cycle technologies.