UK and France to sign nuclear deal (From The Northern Echo)

UK and France to sign nuclear deal

12:05am Friday 17th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in Paris for a summit with President Nicolas Sarkozy which will focus on nuclear energy, defence co-operation and the crisis in Syria.

Mr Cameron is heading a delegation of Cabinet ministers at a UK-France summit at the Elysee Palace just weeks before Mr Sarkozy faces a re-election battle which polls suggest he is set to lose.

The two leaders will sign a landmark agreement to co-operate on civil nuclear energy, paving the way for the construction of a new generation of power plants in the UK.

Deals worth more than £500 million between British and French companies will allow work to start on new facilities, creating more than 1,500 jobs across the country.

Rolls-Royce is to open a factory in Rotherham to produce components for the first new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, as part of a £400 million deal with French energy giant Areva, supporting 600 jobs in the company and 600 in its supply chain.

Meanwhile, France's EDF will conclude a £100 million agreement with Keir/BAM Nuttall for the first construction works at Hinkley Point and will set up a £15 million training campus for future nuclear engineers in nearby Bridgwater.

As Mr Sarkozy greeted the Prime Minister with a warm handshake and a guard of honour on the steps of the Elysee, there was no sign of the froideur which has characterised their relationship in recent months.

Mr Cameron's refusal to approve an EU treaty to stabilise the euro in December infuriated Mr Sarkozy, while Downing Street feathers were ruffled by a series of comments from French ministers questioning the strength of the UK economy.

But the euro is not thought to be on the agenda in the talks, which will concentrate on the long-term strategic partnership between the cross-Channel neighbours.

Reports suggest that Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy will launch proposals for a new pilotless military "drone" plane to carry out targeted strikes while keeping the risk of allied casualties to a minimum. And they will sign a joint declaration of commitment to civil nuclear power, establishing a framework for co-operation on security, research and development, education and training.