Russian airlines need a month to resume flights to Egypt once the ban is lifted, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov tells Sputnik. Sources also tell the news website Egypt is expected to hold a new round of talks with Russia over “the next few days” to set dates for the return of air travel to Cairo. Meanwhile, experts will “hold consultations” on the resumption of flights with Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh — a clear sign that the brass ring his being held back. An Egyptian parliament representative from the Tourism Committee suggested that the government temporarily lift entry visa requirements for Russian tourists as a way of encouraging them to travel to Egypt.

This comes as Rosatom says it expects to sign a contract to build the Dabaa nuclear power plant this year, company head Alexey Likhachev tells Sputnik, confirming that everything is going according to plan. The Ismail cabinet had said the contracts have been finalized and approved, and are being reviewed by the Council of State.