Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Egyptian Scholars Call Demand Reactivation of Nuclear Plan | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Alexandria, Asharq Al-Awsat- Over 400 scholars convening on Sunday at a conference set up by the Organization of High Administrators in Alexandria, called on the Egyptian government to reactivate the country’s nuclear plan and expedite the setting up of a nuclear reactor in A-‘Dab’a.

The scholars criticized the ambiguousness of the country’s foreign policy with regard to the current developments in the Middle East. The scholars demanded that the foreign policy become offensive rather than defensive, especially with regard to the “Israeli massacres” in the Palestinian territories.

Last week, China and Egypt agreed to co-operate on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

According to reports, Egypt is now looking to build at least one nuclear power station within 10 years.

It is not the first time nuclear cooperation has been on the trilateral agenda between Cairo, Moscow and Beijing.

In the 1960s, Egypt sought technical assistance from China and the former Soviet Union as it attempted to develop a nuclear program to match research by arch rival Israel. However, both Beijing and Moscow turned down the request.

In a shift of strategy, Cairo became a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968 and now officially supports the elimination of nuclear weapons in the region.