US ambassador signals possible nuclear energy cooperation

US companies could cooperate with Japanese firms in Turkey's mature nuclear projects, said US Ambassador in Ankara Francis Ricciardone yesterday. At a dinner organized by Turkish-US Business Association, in response to a question, Ricciardone said the nuclear energy issue is still being debated around the world and that the US places great importance on it. US companies are active in this industry and could "cooperate with Japanese companies in Turkey's mature nuclear projects," he added. The Japanese nuclear disaster in the wake of a devastating earthquake last month has fueled the debate in Turkey over building nuclear plants on Turkish soil.