Sudan and Russia announced on Friday the signing of a nuclear cooperation agreement for peaceful purposes. The announcement was made during a visit by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to Russia where he held talks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The agreement was signed between the Rosatom Nuclear power company and Sudanese Minister of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity Moataz Moussa at the Russian city of Sochi.

Rosatom said in a statement that the agreement “is a starting point for an active dialogue between the two countries in the nuclear sphere and allows them to begin practical implementation of certain cooperation projects.”

The document creates a legal framework for cooperation between Russia and Sudan in creating and improving the nuclear infrastructure of Sudan in accordance with international recommendations.

The agreement may also pave the way for the possibility of the construction the Nuclear Science and Technology Center and nuclear power plants in Sudan. A government statement said that Medvedev informed Bashir that “Sudan is an important partner for Russia in the Arab world and Africa.”

The Sudanese leader had embarked on his first visit to Russia on Thursday where he was received by President Vladimir Putin.