[09/March/2010]

PARIS, March 9 (Saba) -- French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said here Tuesday his country is ready to help those countries which are seeking peaceful nuclear usage, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Speaking at the last session of an international conference on peaceful usage of nuclear energy, held at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Fillion said France believes that it has to give its peaceful nuclear expertise to world countries, and even to promote this alternative energy.

He emphasized that all world countries have the right to use peaceful nuclear energy in order to be able to answer their energy needs and to find clean and environmentally friendly energy sources.
The usage of peaceful nuclear energy and all renewable energy sources is conducive to sustainable development, he said, stressing the significance of this technology in light of rising energy prices and environmental protection.

However, he called on world governments to enact fresh pieces of legislation for security and safety; based on transparency, arguing that the world public opinion is wary of peaceful nuclear energy any longer.

He made it certain that the third generation of nuclear reactors is the safest in the world, expecting that his country would open a nuclear power plant of the third generation by 2013, and that French parliament would discuss the construction of another reactor within a couple of weeks.
France is also considering the building of a nuclear reactor of the fourth generation, he said, adding that one billion euro has been allocated for the purpose.

Concerning nuclear waster, the French prime minister said many countries, including France, China and Japan, are now recycling waste so as to reduce its hazards.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between peaceful nuclear-owning and seeking countries over nuclear security, safety, finance, training, research and experiments.

Hailing the conference as a cornerstone of peaceful nuclear cooperation, Fillon said his country supports the creation of a nuclear fuel bank.

The conference attracted 65 countries, including the State of Kuwait, represented by Minister of Electricity and Water Bader Al-Shuraiaan.

During his stay in Paris, the Kuwaiti minister held talks and meetings with several French nuclear energy officials.

Saba