CAIRO — Algeria and China have signed two accords on nuclear energy cooperation.
The
signing took place in Algiers on March 24, Middle East Newsline reported.
"No matter how the international situation has changed, China and
Algeria have maintained mutual support and trust," Li Chang Chun, a visiting
senior Chinese Communist Party official who signed the accord, said.
One accord stipulated Chinese cooperation in helping Algeria construct
and operate a nuclear reactor. The other agreement focused on Chinese
training of Algerian nuclear personnel.
Algeria has sought to achieve capability to complete the nuclear cycle.
The country, with two nuclear research reactors, has found uranium deposits
that could be enriched for nuclear fuel.
Officials said the nuclear cooperation accord with China does not grant
Beijing exclusive rights to any project. They said Algiers has signed
similar agreements with France, Russia and the United States.
The United States has expressed concern over the lack of transparency in
Algeria's nuclear program. Washington has urged Algiers to sign the
so-called Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which
enables spot inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
So far, Algiers has played down its nuclear capability. Algerian Energy
Minister Chakib Khelil, citing lack of trained personnel, said his country
would be unable to operate its first nuclear plant before 2017.
