Head of the Institute of Atomic Energy, Mohamed Ezzat Abdel Azeem, told Youm7 that the Russian Company “Russia Troum” sent an invitation to the institute to send an official delegation to Russia. The institute had not yet determined the date of the visit. The invitation is set to discuss upgrading the first research reactor Anshas, which was built by the company during the 1950's. Abdel Azeem said the negotiations stopped with the Russian company after it insisted on applying Russian law to the two-megawatt reactor, while the institute adhered to its right to apply Egyptian law. The institute is carrying out an economic feasibility study on upgrading the reactor and resuming operations. Some changes will be made to some of components to operate the reactor more safely and economically. Abdel Azeem assured procedures are implemented in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and according to agreements signed between both sides. The Institute of Atomic Energy sent a copy of a suggested contract to upgrade the reactor to the state council committee of Fatwa and Legislation for a Fatwa, or Islamic legal opinion, on the matter.
