PARIS, Dec 29: France stands ready to help Egypt develop civilian nuclear technology, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told an Egyptian newspaper ahead of meetings in Egypt with President Hosni Mubarak.

“Egypt has considerable energy needs and it naturally envisages constructing nuclear reactors,” Sarkozy told Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, according to a French language transcript provided by his office on Friday.

“France, which probably has the best expertise and the greatest experience in the matter, is ready to cooperate with Egypt, if it wants,” he said.

Sarkozy, who has been holidaying in Egypt since Tuesday, is due to begin an official visit on Sunday.

In recent months, France has agreed nuclear cooperation deals with Morocco, Algeria and Libya.—Reuters