France and Britain criticise Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power
britain and France are engaged in a battle with Germany over the latter's decision to phase out nuclear power. The two countries want Germany to come out with a compensation package for foreign waste processing companies.
Jurgen Trittin, Germany's environment minister, has said that there was "no legal basis for compensation" if Germany carried out its plan to stop overseas reprocessing of nuclear waste after January 1, 2000. Media analysts say that this move has been driven by the Green Party, which is a coalition partner in the Gerhard Schroeder government.
France and the uk stand to lose billions of dollars in business under the phased withdrawal from nuclear energy undertaken by the new Leftist German government. These two countries have warned Germany that its ban on reprocessing spent fuel, would violate binding, long-term contracts with British Nuclear Fuels plc and the French reprocessing firm Cogema.
French prime minister Lionel Jospin has insisted that Germany must pay "appropriate compensation" and must honour international agreements. This issue threatens to strain German relations with the two major European partners just as Bonn has assumed the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union.
Meanwhile, Trittin has come up with a compromise proposal. Under the proposal, Germany could give Cogema replacement businesses to package and prepare hundreds of tonnes of unprocessed fuel so it could be shipped back to Germany, which would have to accept the return of its spent fuel if it broke the contract. However, France has rejected this proposal. Speaking to the Financial Times , London, Pierret said: "It is not a serious proposal. Compensation should be the logical conclusion of Germany's decision."
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.