Australia and the United Arab Emirates have entered into a uranium sales accord where Australian uranium will be sold UAE to support the latter's nuclear power programme.

"It is a commitment by the Australian government setting up conditions under which nuclear material will be supplied to the UAE," Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr told a news conference on Tuesday.

"It sets up a framework under which we will become a reliable supplier of uranium to the UAE."

In July, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC) received the much-needed licence and approval to start the construction of UAE's first two nuclear reactors. The Gulf Arab state had earlier said it intends to save and focus its oil reserves for export than use it to generate electricity for domestic purposes. The UAE will be the first among the Gulf Arab states to begin constructing a nuclear power plant.

The two nuclear reactors will be built by a South Korean-led consortium, with plans to build and operate four 1,400 megawatt reactors. The first will see operations starting in 2017.

"This is not a commercial agreement. It is just outlining the nature of the relationship between the two countries in this sector. It is up to future work between importers and exporters to reach the suitable prices and quantities," UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said.

ENEC said it is looking to Australia and Russia to support the reactors' fuel requirements.