France's Mer says EDF privatisation will present advantages

French Finance Minister Francis Mer said the future privatisation of Electricite de France will be advantageous for the utility company, as it will keep it from running in to problems with the EU's anti-competition legislation.

"The policy of progressively placing EDF, GDF and other companies on the market is advantageous for them because if we do not put them under the same conditions as other companies, then we risk having more problems with Brussells, as with EDF," Mer said during an interview on Radio Classique.

Last week the European Commission opened an investigation into possible state aid to EDF, which would violate antitrust regulations.

The French government has said it plans to sell of some of its stake in the utility company, while remaining a minority shareholder.