Algeria, Argentine sign nuclear deal

Algeria and Argentina Monday signed three cooperation agreements including one on peaceful use of nuclear energy.

• The nuclear agreement was signed by Algerian energy Minister and Argentine Minister for Federal Planning Julio de Vido in the presence of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
• Accompanied by a delegation of 70 businessmen, Argentina President Cristina Kirchner arrived to Algeria Sunday on a two-day visit as part of a North Africa tour to boost south-south cooperation.
• The two countries also signed an agreement on cooperation and experience exchange between Algeria News Agency (APS) and Argentina’s Telam. Another agreement was signed on public health and medical sciences.
• Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci and his Argentine counterpart Jorge Taiana signed an additional protocol to the existing cultural cooperation agreement.
• Fernandez’s visit to Algeria is the first of its kind since she was in power in December 2007.
• Algeria purchased an Argentine-designed nuclear research reactor with 20 percent enriched U-235 fuel in 1985. Algeria was involved in negotiations with Argentina regarding the purchase of pressurized heavy water reactor.
• Buenos Aires hopes to continue civil nuclear cooperation with Algeria, said Bibiana Jones, Argentina's ambassador to Algeria.
• In 2007, Algeria’s exports to Argentina were valued at $95 million. Argentine exports to the North African country were estimated at around $900 million in 2008 compared to $765 million in 2007.