Cairo, Moscow to build 1st nuclear plant in Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi said Tuesday that Cairo would cooperate with Moscow to see the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Egypt, on the second day of President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to the Arab country.

Egypt and Russia “have signed a memorandum of understanding to build the first nuclear plant in [the northern city of] El-Dabaa,” Sisi said during a news conference.

The Egyptian leader was speaking to journalists at Cairo’s Al Qubba presidential palace, where he was joined by his Russian counterpart, Putin.

During the conference, Sisi also said that Cairo would strengthen its military cooperation with Moscow.

Sisi stressed the importance of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli problem and preserve the unity of Libya.

Standing next to Sisi, Putin said that he expected there would be a new round of talks to resolve the Syrian conflict after some opposition figures and the Damascus government met in Moscow last month.

“We look forward ... to the next round of such talks, which ultimately I hope will lead to a peaceful settlement of the situation in Syria,” Putin said.

Putin arrived on Monday in Egypt, in a landmark two-day visit aimed at boosting Moscow’s economic and political ties with Cairo.