(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-06 22:24

MOSCOW  -- Russia and the United States are expected to sign an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy Tuesday, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

The agreement, to be signed by Sergei Kirienko, head of the Russian nuclear energy monopoly Rosatom, and US Ambassador to Russia William Burns, will "create legislation for direct cooperation between companies of the two countries in this sphere, " Itar-Tass quoted an anonymous source as saying.

Outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US 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  establish a global nuclear energy partnership to develop innovation reactors and fuel cycle technologies.