Anglo-French nuclear power ties

Last Modified: 26 Mar 2008
By: Jonathan Rugman, Jon Snow

Behind the pageantry and pomp of Sarkozy's trip is a key Anglo-French policy issue, nuclear power.

Behind the effusive Gallic charm offensive and talk of a new Franco-British brotherhood is an agenda including a bid for French companies to get a slice of the expansion in British nuclear power announced today.

Addressing both Houses of Parliament this afternoon French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, claims that centuries of enmity between the two countries was not because they were too different but too alike and called for the existing entente cordiale to be upgraded to one of friendship.

But tomorrow there are joint planned talks about a shared nuclear future.

Earlier today the business secretary John Hutton outlined the government's plans for a significant expansion of nuclear power production in the UK, promising billions of pounds for UK companies, thousands of new jobs and the potential that Britain can become a world leader in nuclear technology.