Algeria and China have signed two accords on nuclear energy cooperation.

The signing took place in Algiers on March 24, Middle East Newsline reported.

"No matter how the international situation has changed, China and Algeria have maintained mutual support and trust," Li Chang Chun, a visiting senior Chinese Communist Party official who signed the accord, said. One accord stipulated Chinese cooperation in helping Algeria construct and operate a nuclear reactor. The other agreement focused on Chinese training of Algerian nuclear personnel.

Algeria has sought to achieve capability to complete the nuclear cycle. The country, with two nuclear research reactors, has found uranium deposits that could be enriched for nuclear fuel.

Officials said the nuclear cooperation accord with China does not grant Beijing exclusive rights to any project. They said Algiers has signed similar agreements with France, Russia and the United States.

The United States has expressed concern over the lack of transparency in Algeria's nuclear program. Washington has urged Algiers to sign the so-called Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which enables spot inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

So far, Algiers has played down its nuclear capability. Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil, citing lack of trained personnel, said his country would be unable to operate its first nuclear plant before 2017.

Source: worldtribune.com