Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Cairo on Monday where he oversaw with President Dbaul Fattah al-Sisi the signing of a multi-billion dollar deal to start work on a nuclear power plant.
Minister from both countries inked a $21 billion deal to start work on the Dabaa nuclear power plant and Putin said Moscow was ready to resume Russian civilian flights to Egypt.
Moscow halted civilian air traffic to Egypt in 2015 after a Russian Metrojet flight crashed after departing the tourist resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and killing 224 people on board.
“The Russian security services have reported to me that, on the whole, we are ready for opening the direct air link between Moscow and Cairo,” Putin said. “This would require signing a corresponding intergovernmental protocol.”
Earlier, Russian state nuclear company Rosatom said the Dabaa nuclear station it will build in Egypt will have four reactors and cost up to $21 billion. Construction is expected to finish in 2028-2029.
Moscow and Cairo signed an initial agreement in 2015 for Russia to build the plant, with Russia extending a loan to Egypt to cover the cost of construction.
Sisi said the two leaders had also discussed industrial projects, trade and Russian investments in Egypt, including in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Sisi and Putin also discussed Syria and mutual rejection of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that has triggered protests across the region and from European capitals.
