Canada will soon decide whether to become part of a U.S.-led nuclear initiative, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said Thursday at the APEC summit in Australia.

As one of the world's two largest uranium producers — along with Australia — Canada has been under pressure to indicate whether it plans to attend talks on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership in Vienna later this month.

On Thursday, Australia announced it intended to go to the talks.

Funded by the U.S., the GNEP proposes countries that use nuclear energy band together to promote and safeguard the industry. It is controversial because it proposes that uranium-exporting countries bring back spent nuclear fuel for long-term storage.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has publicly commented on the issue once, 15 months ago, when he promised to defend Canadian interests.

On Thursday, Bernier indicated a decision would come soon.

"We have been very clear right now that no decision has been taken here in Canada,” said Bernier, who was shifted to the portfolio in last month's cabinet shuffle.

“Australia and Canada, we are two major producers in the world and we have considerable interests in whatever the United States and the international community have in mind in terms of future uranium development and production and marketing. So we will have a decision in the near future about our participation.”

On Wednesday, Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss said that Canada and Australia needed to be at the Sept. 16 talks.

"Because we are in such an influential position, we could make sure the uranium is used wisely and under proper supervision," Truss said in an interview with The Australian newspaper.

Last week, the government issued a statement saying it had been invited to Sept. 16 talks in Vienna on the GNEP but still hadn't decided whether to attend.

With files from the Canadian Press