Cairo and Moscow in Talks Over Nuclear Deal

Egypt’s plan to build power plants may be aided by Moscow, Russia’s minister of energy and industry has announced. The two countries are currently drafting a civilian nuclear power agreement.

"The Federal Agency for Nuclear Power and Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy are drafting new documents on cooperation in this field," said Minister Viktor Khristenko. "We believe this not only corresponds to the spirit of our relations, but is also in line with the understanding of prospects for energy development in the long term."

Egypt’s nuclear programme was suspended following 1986’s Chernobyl disaster. The country announced last September, however, that it was to be resurrected in order to deal with a surge in electricity demand. A 1,000MW nuclear plant is already planned for the Mediterranean coast. There are plans for three other 600MW plants, according to media reports.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has been investigating Egypt for not declaring atomic energy research. But both the IAEA and Egypt said the research was not for weapons purposes and said the failure could have resulted from miscommunication over what Egypt is required to report to international monitors.