Russia, Egypt to sign nuclear energy agreement soon – Lavrov

MOSCOW, December 14 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will sign an agreement with Egypt in the future to develop its nuclear power sector, the Russian foreign minister said Friday.

“As for cooperation with Egypt in developing its civilian nuclear power industry, we confirm that we are interested. The drafting of relevant documents is being completed, and I hope they will be signed soon,” Sergei Lavrov told journalists after talks with his Egyptian counterpart.


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The minister said the agreement will become a basis for partnership in the civilian nuclear sector under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit in turn said Egypt was geared towards developing nuclear energy and planned to build several nuclear power plants. “Therefore we are working on our legislation, which will be submitted soon for parliament’s consideration,” he said.

He stressed that the work on the document was in full compliance with IAEA norms.

“Egypt is bound by around 15 agreements on nuclear cooperation with Asian and European countries and we want to sign a similar agreement with Russia,” the minister said.

He said talks were constantly being held with Russia on the issue and said he hoped the document would be signed in the near future.

Russia earlier announced its intention to take part in a tender to build an atomic power plant in Egypt.

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