MOSCOW — Russia and Turkey plan to sign a nuclear energy pact
that would likely lead to the construction of a reactor.
Officials said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was scheduled to
arrive in Ankara on Aug. 6 for the signing of a nuclear cooperation
agreement with Turkey. They said the agreement would include Russian plans
to build the first nuclear energy reactor in Turkey.
"The accord would pave the way for the nuclear energy contract," an
official said.
A Russian-led consortium has been the only bidder in the project to
build Turkey's first nuclear energy facility, Middle East Newsline reported. But a Turkish government panel
has determined that the consortium's bid was too high.
Officials said Putin was expected to discuss the Turkish reactor project
and offer incentives to Ankara. They said one prospect was Russian
cooperation in the development of Turkey's crude oil and natural gas
resources in the Black Sea.
Putin was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation
in crude oil, gas and nuclear energy with Turkey. The Russian prime minister
has also been promoting military exports to Ankara.
