France still keen to join UAE nuclear programme

Paris: France has expressed its readiness to join the UAE in implementing its peaceful nuclear energy programme in the light of the highly advanced French nuclear technology system EBR.

Bernard Valero, French Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that "France reiterates its commitment to the strategic partnership with the UAE", despite the UAE's decision to sign with South Korea's Kepco consortium.

Valero referred to the visit made by the Nicolas Sarakozy, French President last May to the UAE during which the Al Salam Camp was opened, and the joint defense agreement between the two countries was renewed.

Failed bid

The French consortium that hoped to win a contract to build four peaceful nuclear reactors for power production in the UAE took too long to put its bid in order, a senior French official said. The loss has triggered a debate in France about the need to restructure the nuclear industry in France.

"The French consortium took too much time to prepare for this battle," said the French newspaper Les Echos quoting Chief of Staff Claude Gueant.

Gueant renewed confidence in the French reactor technology EBR which belongs to the third generation of the nuclear reactors.