Under the estimated $2 billion accord, Egypt would examine Russian
offers to supply a nuclear energy reactor. But officials said the Mubarak
regime would not be committed to any purchase, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials said Egypt plans to release an international tender for the
construction of nuclear plants. They said up to five countries, including
Russia,
were expected to compete for the contract.
"The number of potential partners is limited," Egyptian Foreign Trade
Minister Mohammed Rachid said. "These are primarily Russia and another three
or four countries."
Officials said the tender for the first nuclear power plant was expected
to be decided 2009. The facility would begin operations in 2017.
Under the forthcoming accord, Russia would be allowed to build nuclear
facilities, train Egyptian personnel and supply nuclear fuel to Cairo. The
accord was
expected to be supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
On March 18, Mubarak met a visiting Russian delegation to discuss
nuclear energy cooperation. The delegation was led by Russian Industry and
Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko.