Egypt has been offered more aid in establishing its nuclear ambitions. The government will sign an agreement on cooperation in the nuclear field with Russia next week. According to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, the agreement will be signed during Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s visit to Russia.
"This agreement will enable Egypt to use Russia’s extensive experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Gheit said.
Nabil Rashwan, an expert on Russia, said that the agreement would allow Russia to build nuclear power plants in Egypt, train Egyptian personnel, and supply nuclear fuel. Rashwan said that the deal with Russia was more beneficial to Egypt than a deal with the US would be as the US imposes tougher restrictions. According to Rashwan, the US is pressuring Egypt to place its nuclear program under its control to protect the security of Israel.
The agreement with Russia is not the only one in the works for Egypt regarding nuclear energy. In January 2008 France said it was ready to aid the North African country realize its nuclear ambitions. Egypt may get technical assistance from the French on its quest for nuclear power. According to a statement made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, France is willing to aid Egypt’s nuclear program.
“I find it natural for any country to seek nuclear energy,” Sarkozy was quoted in January. “France with no doubt has the best expertise and the greatest experience in this field and it is ready to cooperate with Egypt, if Egypt wants,” he added.
Egypt has been looking to revive its nuclear program that was quashed in the 1980s following the incident at Russia’s Chernobyl. The country’s President, Hosni Mubarak, said that the government’s aim in developing nuclear power was to diversify Egypt’s energy resources and preserve its oil and gas reserves for future generations. Mubarak has vowed to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency and not seek to create nuclear weapons.