Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi participated in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, January 23, laying the foundation of El-Dabaa, Egypt’s inaugural nuclear power plant (NPP). The event marked the official pouring of concrete for the fourth and final reactor of the NPP, a project developed by the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) in Egypt’s Mediterranean city of Dabaa in the Marsa Matrouh province, situated approximately 320 kilometers northwest of Cairo.
While earlier statements had suggested Putin’s in-person visit to Egypt for the celebration, the virtual participation by both leaders emphasized the importance of the joint project. Putin highlighted the positive impact of the venture on the Egyptian economy, providing additional energy resources, fostering the creation of new enterprises, and generating employment opportunities.
During the ceremony, Putin emphasized the enduring industrial collaboration between Russia and Egypt, citing past joint projects such as the Aswan dam. He characterized Egypt as a close friend and strategic partner, emphasizing cooperation grounded in principles of equality, mutual respect, and consideration of each other’s interests.
Putin also noted a 20% growth in bilateral trade between Russia and Egypt over the past 10 months and highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation with Egypt’s accession to the BRICS economic bloc, opening new avenues for collaboration. The virtual inauguration signals a significant milestone in the long-term energy partnership between Russia and Egypt.
