MOSCOW, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Egypt will sign a cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

    "Preparation of such an agreement will soon be concluded. I hope it will be signed shortly," Lavrov said in Moscow after talks with his visiting Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit.

    The top Russian diplomat said Moscow is interested in furthering cooperation with Egypt on the peaceful use of nuclear energy sectors, adding that such an agreement will turn out to be a foundation for bilateral cooperation in this area.

    He said the agreement complied with the terms of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and International Atomic Energy Agency.