MOSCOW, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Russia and the United States signed an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy on Tuesday in Moscow, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

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

    It 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 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.