Egypt, Russian to sign nuclear pact

CAIRO, March 23 (UPI) -- The governments of Russia and Egypt will sign an accord establishing cooperation between their civilian nuclear energy sectors, an official said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said the agreement is expected to be signed during Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Moscow Monday and Tuesday, RIA Novosti reported Sunday.

"This agreement will enable Egypt to use Russia's extensive experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Gheit was quoted as saying.

The Russian news service said the international agreement does not automatically mean that Russian companies will build nuclear power plants in Egypt.