France, Britain to share nuke research

FRANCE has agreed to share its expertise in nuclear energy as Britain considers building a new generation of reactors.

The two nations are to establish a forum to share research, skills and information on decommissioning and waste management, President Jacques Chirac told reporters after his meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

France, more dependent than any other country on nuclear power, is actively exporting its reactor technology and hopes a revived British nuclear sector would encourage other European nations to follow suit after 20 years of avoiding nuclear power because of Chernobyl.