Russia plans to construct atomic power station in Syria

Russia and Syria have come to a principle agreement to construct an atomic power station and a water-desalinating facility located at the station, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

According to the same report of the Foreign Ministry, Russia and Syria are enjoying stable trade and economic relations. In particular, the two countries signed a new agreement on trade, economic and technical collaboration in 1993 and in 1999 they reached an agreement on the use of atomic energy for peace purposes. The volume of trade between Russia and Syria reached $163m in 2001, which was 1.8 percent ($3m) more than in 2000. In addition, Russia continues to take part in commercial projects for the construction of new energy facilities in Syria. Energy utilities constructed in cooperation with Russia cover 20 percent of Syria's demand for electrical energy.