Egyptian Calls for Tehran-Cairo Nuclear Cooperation

TEHRAN, May 15 (FNA)- A senior Egyptian economic activist asked for the rapid resumption of ties between Tehran and Cairo, and said the two countries can launch productive cooperation in nuclear power plant construction and other technological and industrial fields.
"There were some plans for building peaceful nuclear facilities to produce energy in Egypt during Hosni Mubarak's era, but these projects were ceased " due to the problems created by the ruling system, Muhyeddin al-Ghandour told FNA on Saturday.

"It seems that Iran's experience can provide us with instrumental help in this regard," he added.

Al-Ghandour also said that given Iran's astonishing progresses in different technological and industrial fields, the two countries can also cooperate in dam construction, oil and gas ventures and production of military tools and equipment.

After the collapse of Hosni Mubarak's regime, the Iranian and Egyptian officials have frequently voiced their interest in the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Iran's top diplomat Ali Akbar Salehi has officially invited Egypt's newly appointed Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi to pay a visit to Tehran.

The invitation letter was submitted to the Egyptian foreign minister during a meeting between Director of Iran's Interest Section in Cairo Mojtaba Amani and al-Arabi.

Al-Arabi in his first press conference earlier last month announced Cairo's preparedness to open "a new page with Iran".

The official went on to say that the Egyptian government does not see Iran as an enemy state, noting the two countries have historically rooted relations.

He further stated that establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side.

In reply, Salehi also said that Iran is ready to resume relations with Cairo.