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Egypt and Russia strengthen ties Egypt and Russia strengthen ties
(about 6 hours later)
Russia is expected to offer assistance for Egypt's proposed nuclear programme as the two countries' presidents affirm their warm relations in Moscow. The presidents of Russia and Egypt say their relations are blossoming, and expressed hopes for improved trade ties after a meeting in Moscow.
Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Vladimir Putin may also discuss trade and arms deals, Iraq, Iran's nuclear project and Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Hosni Mubarak said he felt "a strong connection" with Vladimir Putin.
Mr Mubarak recently urged Mr Putin to seek a third term in office, despite the constitutional limit of only two. In one of the main developments at the meeting, officials said Russia would tender for contracts to build nuclear power plants in Egypt.
Mr Mubarak himself has served back-to-back terms since 1981. Mr Putin also suggested Egypt should join the "Quartet" trying to negotiate peace in the Middle East.
This presidential visit comes almost a year after Vladimir Putin became the first Russian head of state to set foot in Egypt for 40 years.This presidential visit comes almost a year after Vladimir Putin became the first Russian head of state to set foot in Egypt for 40 years.
It is clear that the two leaders enjoy a friendly relationship, says the BBC's Emma Simpson in Moscow.It is clear that the two leaders enjoy a friendly relationship, says the BBC's Emma Simpson in Moscow.
Mr Mubarak told a Russian newspaper that his counterpart was a "very good, very clever leader; Russia needs him". Mr Mubarak recently urged Mr Putin to seek a third term in office, despite the constitutional limit of only two, saying his counterpart was a "very good, very clever leader; Russia needs him".
The Egyptian president is the first leader of a major country to call for President Putin to remain in power. Mr Mubarak himself has served back-to-back terms since 1981.
Rival to Washington? The Egyptian president is the first leader of a major country to call for Mr Putin to remain in power.
Nuclear revival
After the talks, Boris Alyoshin, the head of the Russian Federal State Agency for Industries, said: "Egypt has made a decision to transfer to nuclear energy and build four stations.
"It is beyond doubt that we will take part in the tender and I think we have good chances of winning."
Mr Mubarak has recently proposed reviving Egypt's nuclear energy programme, which was abandoned after the Chernobyl disaster 20 years ago.
Mr Alyoshin also said Egypt had promised tax incentives for Russian companies to invest in the country.
Mr Putin praised Egypt's role as a key regional power and said it could be a very useful member of the Quartet, which currently includes the EU, UN, Russia and the US.
He said Cairo could play "a vital role in establishing contacts between Palestine and Israel and in bringing much-needed accord to Palestinian ranks."
The two countries enjoyed close ties until the 1970s, when Egypt turned to America as its strategic foreign partner.The two countries enjoyed close ties until the 1970s, when Egypt turned to America as its strategic foreign partner.
Mr Mubarak said relations were now developing "in a positive direction... based on solid groundwork of years of friendship and co-operation between the two countries". But Egypt has begun to look back to Russia for new weapons - something that will not impress its traditional supplier, the United States, our correspondent says.
Mr Mubarak has recently proposed reviving Egypt's nuclear energy programme, which was abandoned after the Chernobyl disaster 20 years ago, and it is thought the leaders will discuss nuclear co-operation.
They are also likely to talk about increased Russian arms sales to Egypt - something that will not impress the United States, Egypt's traditional arms supplier, our correspondent says.
The Middle East conflict is also on the agenda.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed Egypt's "leading political role in the region" and Russia's "weighty involvement" in attempts to pursue peace.
Mr Mubarak will go on to visit Kazakhstan and China, to try to boost Egypt's relations there too.Mr Mubarak will go on to visit Kazakhstan and China, to try to boost Egypt's relations there too.