Algeria to sign civil nuclear agreements with Russia and France

According to the energy and mines Minister Chakib Khelil, a first accord on the peaceful use of nuclear energy will be initialled shortly between Algeria and Russia .

Speaking during a  press briefing in the western city of Oran outside the inauguration ceremony of the head office of Sonatrach’s downstream activity, Chakib Khelil said that the accord would be signed before the end of April 2008.

Algeria is also poised to conclude similar accords with France in the next few weeks, Chakib Khelil added.

He also indicated that the energy and mines Ministry had already started taking the necessary steps for the setting up of a management body dedicated exclusively to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in expectation of the promulgation by the Algerian parliament of a law on the matter.