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Sarkozy sees opportunities in German exit of nuclear energy

07 June 2011 23:42 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday that Germany’s decision to shut down its nuclear reactors represents a good opportunity to boost the competitiveness of French economy, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Germany’s move will be "a favorable factor of competitiveness," Sarkozy said during a visit to French provinces, which is his first comment on the decision of Germany on nuclear energy.

"The decision of the Germans? I’m not criticizing. We have enough problems to solve. ... If they close their plants, they must be replaced. We will be a candidate for selling them electricity ...," Sarkozy said.

"I was not elected to destroy an industrial sector which creates jobs, competitiveness (and) energy independence. I do not intend to abandon those absolutely considerable assets of the French economy," he added.

Last week, Germany announced its plan to stop the function of nuclear reactors by 2022. Berlin’s decision revived the debate on nuclear power in France, home of 58 reactors satisfying 80 percent of the country’s energy needs.

Describing the production of nuclear power as a " competitiveness advantage", Sarkozy noted the closing of France’s reactors will cost 45 billion euros (66 billion U.S. dollars) and stir soaring electricity prices.