The round of talks between Electricity and Energy Minister Hassan Younis and the delegation of the Australian company WorleyParsons kicked off yesterday. This follows the start of the negotiations with Egypt's Nuclear Plants Authority in preparation for the signing of the nuclear consultation contract to set up the first nuclear power plant in Egypt. The Australian company, the bid of which came in second, has taken the place of US Bechtel company.
Dr. Aktham Aboul Ela, Under-Secretary and official spokesman of the Ministry of Electricity, said Parsons's delegation showed understanding of Egypt's clauses during the talks. He then said the delegation described the talks with the Nuclear Plants Authority as professional, serious and fruitful.
Aboul Ela then added that, according to the delegation, the talks with the Authority had been carried out in an atmosphere of cooperation and that a big step forward had been taken yesterday and on Thursday.
According to the under-secretary, the delegation said that if the negotiations continued in such serious, constructive and cooperative way, it expected this round of negotiations to end within this week before the contract was finally drawn up and then signed. He said the company reviewed its 55-year long experience during the talks, adding it set up 16 nuclear power plants of up to 22,000 megawatts.
He then went on to say that yesterday's talks between the delegation and Dr. Hassan Younis took place in an atmosphere of mutual comprehension, as the minister stressed the need to adhere to the book of specifications in accordance with the applicable Egyptian laws and to draw up a clear contract.
