Today's Date:

It is both an honour and a privilege for me to speak for France, and also as a member of the European Union Council of Energy Ministers, at the international ICONE 13 (International Conference on Nuclear Engineering). It is one of a series of key international meetings on nuclear power, like the very recent Conference in Paris on 21 and 22 March 2005 entitled “Nuclear power for the twenty-first century”.

For me, there is an evident link between that Paris Conference and our meeting today in Beijing. I see in it a strong, clear sign of the world’s renewed interest in nuclear power: 74 countries and 10 international organizations were represented in Paris.

Need I stress the representativeness of ICONE 13, which brings together governments, companies and academics from every discipline. So there is obvious continuity between Paris and Beijing in the renewed interest in nuclear power.

EUROPEAN UNION

Now, I want to emphasize that each State is, of course, free to decide its own energy policy and choose whether or not to go for nuclear power.

Indeed, this is the case within the European Union, where different energy choices have recently been made. Countries like Germany and Belgium have opted for a policy of progressively phasing out nuclear power production. Conversely, others have actively confirmed their decision to go down the nuclear power road: Finland did this in December 2003 as, in spring this year, did France, who has decided to build an EPR [European Pressurized Reactor]. Some who didn’t initially go for this option are openly considering revising their policy, like Italy and Poland. Of the new European Union member States, five intend to remain nuclear power countries: Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Finally, of the future member States due to join the EU in 2007, Bulgaria decided in May 2004 to build a new nuclear power plant, scheduled to come into service in 2010.

In total, 38% of the European Union’s electricity is generated by nuclear power. So nuclear energy is of huge importance to Europe.

ASIA

Looking now at Asia, I get the impression that here, too, nuclear power is emerging as an important energy source. This is already manifestly the case for countries like India, Japan and South Korea.

I also know that Vietnam is envisaging using nuclear power as from 2017. Indonesia is also considering it.

China has already made this choice and built five power stations with nine reactors. She is today scaling up her nuclear power investment, having decided to build 25 to 30 new reactors to satisfy the needs of her tremendous economic growth.

Indeed, the whole of Asia has to address the twin challenge of ensuring substantial access to energy, one of the requirements for its development, whilst respecting the quality of the environment.

In these circumstances, no energy sector must be ignored.

Also, nuclear energy seems able both to satisfy the energy requirements for the economic development of a large number of countries and safeguard the environment, since it neither pollutes the atmosphere nor generates greenhouse gases.

ENERGY PRICES

Moreover, since 2000, given the tensions in the world oil market, energy price stability and security of supply have become constant major worries which are now at the heart of all energy policies.

Indeed, nuclear energy protects you from the volatility of fossil fuel prices. Since the energy supply system makes a decisive contribution to economic development, it must be as reliable, cost-effective and high-quality as possible. So for energy-importing countries, like most European and Asian countries, nuclear power is a factor of security and stability.

NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY/SAFETY

I must also add that nuclear energy is based on proven technologies and in many cases supplies electricity at a competitive price to both households and businesses. This competitiveness compared with the average price of other energy sources is contributing to the global competitiveness of economies.

The application of a safety culture to the nuclear industry is absolutely essential. Guaranteeing a high level of safety and security of nuclear materials and plants is a non-negotiable condition for the political and social acceptance of nuclear energy.

To this end, it is desirable for States to coordinate their efforts and share their experiences. This "safety culture" must, of course, be consistent with strict respect for international rules and standards. This international dimension allows the development and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Here, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has an essential role to play in encouraging international cooperation and providing the general public with high-quality information on nuclear energy.

Here at ICONE 13, the link between politics, economics and technology is being forged. This is why I personally want to offer you, as a Frenchman and a European, my strongest encouragement. Indeed, your discussions can help find a partial answer to the major world challenge presented by a global energy demand whose growth is exceeding the capacity of supply at the very time when fossil resources are being exhausted.

In other words, the technological improvements which will be at the heart of your debates must enable us to bridge the gap between supply and demand./.