French group EDF today agreed a £12.5bn (€15.8bn) takeover of British Energy in a move set to kick-start the UK's nuclear power strategy.

French President Jacques Chirac will today launch an intensive week of meetings with Asian leaders aimed at promoting French companies and cementing Europe-Asia ties.

Gaz de France, the state-owned gas distributor, wants to sell shares on the stock market as soon as possible after its status is changed to a corporations, chief executive Pierre Gadonneix has said.