France, Algeria sign nuclear pact

ALGIERS, Algeria, June 21 (UPI) -- The governments of France and Algeria signed an agreement Saturday in which France will help its former colony develop nuclear power.

The pact was signed in Algiers by the French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, the BBC reported. He said the nuclear pact marked a "transformation" in the countries' ties.

Under the agreement, French and Algerian ministers agreed to conduct joint research and training projects.

Eventually, nuclear power plants could be built on Algerian soil, the British network said.

"There is no clearer signal of France's intention to establish an exceptional partnership with Algeria," Fillon said.