Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will seek to secure Russian nuclear technology during his current visit to Russia while Moscow is trying to revive lucrative arms sales to Cairo, newspapers said Tuesday.
Mubarak, who began the visit on Monday, voiced "full satisfaction with the level of international political consultations between Cairo and Moscow," in an interview with the state-owned newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
The Egyptian leader said he was equally satisfied with "the process of cooperation ...in the spheres of trade, energy, technologies and tourism."
"However, since friends must always be open with each other, I must say that I am not as happy with the volume of Russian investment into Egypt's economy," Mubarak added.
The Russian media meanwhile said the highlight of the visit would be the signing of a nuclear energy deal.
"The chief issue on the agenda is the signing of an accord on Russo-Egyptian cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," the Kommersant daily said, adding that sources had hinted that "Moscow ceded a few points to Cairo and now expects an answer."
"Moscow particularly hopes that Cairo will return to buying Russian arms," the daily added.
"Cairo is interested in Russian nuclear technologies and weapons," the Nezavisimaya daily echoed.
"Egypt is thus demonstrating its intent to diversify its foreign ties and find new foreign partners," the daily quoted analyst Mohammed El Sayed Said as saying.
During Mubarak's visit from Monday to Wednesday, the two countries will sign an accord on civilian nuclear energy, giving Moscow an opportunity to participate in building Egypt's first nuclear reactor.
Mubarak announced in October that Egypt would be looking for contractors in the 1.5-1.8 billion dollar (around one to 1.2 billion euros) project.
Russia, which is responsible for the Bushehr facility in Iran and recently signed a contract to construct a reactor in Bulgaria, is determined to muscle its way into the Egyptian market so far dominated by French and US companies. Beyond his meetings with outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mubarak will also hold talks with president-elect Dmitry Medvedev, who takes office May 7.
His visit comes days before an Arab summit scheduled for March 29-30 which has been mired in controversy with some Arab states saying they will not attend if the Lebanese parliament does not elect a president by then.
