Global Security Newswire

France and Algeria signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement Saturday, paving the way for collaborating on nuclear training, research and power plant construction, the BBC reported (see GSN, May 21, 2007).

The signing took place during a trip to Algiers by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who called the deal a sign of "transformation" in the relationship between the nations.

"There is no clearer signal of France's intention to establish an exceptional partnership with Algeria," said Fillon, the first French prime minister to visit Algeria in more than 20 years (BBC News, June 21).

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates is calling for bids to construct a nuclear power plant in the Middle Eastern state, Agence France-Presse reported today.

Nine firms are bidding to build the plant, which would become the first nuclear power station in an Arab country, Emirates Business quoted sources as saying.

In an April report on its plans for civilian nuclear energy development, the United Arab Emirates emphasized that it would purchase nuclear fuel for the plant from abroad and not produce it indigenously.

France signed a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with the United Arab Emirates in January (see GSN, Jan. 15), and the United States concluded a similar agreement in April (see GSN, April 21; Agence France-Presse/Google News, June 23).