Putin signs nuclear energy deal with Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a nuclear energy cooperation deal with Argentina on Saturday on the second stop of a tour to bolster trade ties and strengthen Russia's influence in Latin America.

Putin's energy minister, Alexander Novak, told reporters in the Argentine capital that the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, had made an offer to tender for the construction of two new nuclear power units in Argentina.

Novak said Rosatom could offer "comfortable" financial terms to South America's No. 3 economy, which has struggled to advance its nuclear energy program and lure foreign investors deterred by a raft of punishing capital and import controls.

"Rosatom is actively working here... and has already handed over its technical and commercial offer to our (Argentine) colleagues," Novak told reporters after talks between Putin and his Argentine counterpart, President Cristina Fernandez.

"There will be a tender this fall. Rosatom... is also ready to provide comfortable financial conditions (to Argentina)."

Fernandez said she hoped to strengthen relations between Buenos Aires and Moscow.

Putin was in Cuba on Friday and will travel to Brazil for bilateral talks. While in Brazil he also will participate in a summit of the so-called BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa on Tuesday and Wednesday.

(Reporting by Alexei Anishchuk; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Dan Grebler)