Areva's $11.9 billion deal could spark more sales in China

PARIS – French nuclear engineering company Areva SA hopes to sell as many as six additional third-generation nuclear reactors to China following its record $11.9 billion order this week to build and supply fuel for two, a top executive said Tuesday.
To see the full story, click here.

French Premier Sees Beyond GDF-Suez Deal

PARIS - When then-French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin decided to fend off an amorous Italian and play matchmaker between two French utilities last year, he probably could not imagine the marriage might never be consummated.

Yet as Gaz de France shareholders gathered in Paris on Wednesday, Villepin's successor announced that the national gas champion's alliance with Suez remained uncertain. Francois Fillon, France's brand new prime minister, said the government is considering other possibilities and will review the deal in late June or early July - after parliamentary elections.

To see the full story click here.

Veolia's Proglio Denies Chirac Vetoed Suez Ambitions

March 5 (Bloomberg) -- Veolia Environnement SA Chief Executive Officer Henri Proglio said he didn't cave in to political pressure from French President Jacques Chirac to abandon talks on a joint bid for Suez SA with Italy's Enel SpA.

``I wasn't forbidden to do anything,'' he said in an interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is accompanying Chirac on a trip designed to improve trade ties with the world's biggest oil producer. ``I represent a private company. I don't need approval.''

To read the full story click here.

Chirac Says France Wants to End Ban on Nuclear Exports to India

Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) -- France supports ending the international ban on nuclear-technology exports to India, allowing companies such as Areva SA to supply plants to meet India's growing energy needs, President Jacques Chirac said.
To read the full story click here.