Egyptian President Hopes For Rapid Construction Of Dabaa NPP, Russian Industrial Zone

Egyptian President Hopes for Rapid Construction of Dabaa NPP, Russian Industrial Zone

Egypt hopes for a rapid construction of the Dabaa nuclear power plant (NPP) with Moscow's participation and the implementation of the plan to establish a Russian industrial zone east of the Suez Canal, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Egypt hopes for a rapid construction of the Dabaa nuclear power plant (NPP) with Moscow's participation and the implementation of the plan to establish a Russian industrial zone east of the Suez Canal, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi said on Tuesday.

"I hope that the construction of a NPP near [the city of] Dabaa will be carried out in the coming years ... Besides, there is a very important project providing for the establishment of the Russian industrial zone in the east of the Suez Canal. We do wish and are interested in taking the implementation of these plans forward," the Egyptian president said addressing the Russian upper house.

Russian upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko, in turn, said that the relations between the two countries had a great prospect for development.

"I would like to note that with your coming [to power] relations between Russia and Egypt have reached a new qualitative level of strategic partnership. Significant results have been achieved in the full spectrum of our relations, and there is a bright prospect for their further development. And you have made a personal contribution to that. Egypt remains Russia's most important partner in the middle East," Matviyenko said at the meeting with the Egyptian president.

The Russian lawmaker also noted the special contribution of the meetings between the presidents of the two countries in the development of bilateral relations, expressing hope that the upcoming talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sisi in Sochi would provide an opportunity for the comprehensive exchange of views on the key directions of the Russian-Egyptian relations.

"Following every such meeting, new prospects for the development of our ties and a new base for the continuation of our cooperation emerge," Matviyenko said.

She added that in Russia, Sisi was known as an outstanding statesman, who had led the country through a difficult period.

"It is a big honor for us to receive you and I appreciate your agreeing to address the members of the Federation Council," Matviyenko stressed.

On February 2, 2016, Russia and Egypt signed an agreement on the creation of the Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal for the Russian companies oriented toward the markets of Egypt, Africa and the Middle East. It is planned that trucks, agricultural tractors, petrochemical concrete products will be manufactured in the zone.

In December 2017, the regulations to bring into force the commercial contract for the Dabaa NPP construction were signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Egyptian counterpart. The total contract value amounted to about $60 billion, which became an all-time record for the industry. The future NPP will have four power units with the capacity of 1,200 MW each. The NPP will also be equipped with Russia's VVER-1200 nuclear reactors. It is planned that the first power unit of the Dabaa NPP will be put into operation in 2026.