French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticized those who oppose further economic growth worldwide, strongly supports nuclear energy as a critical source of energy for the future and promised French aid to developing countries seeking to develop nuclear energy .
Speaking at the opening of the International Conference on access to civil nuclear energy in Paris on Monday, said the growing world population and increasingly wealthy, citing provisions of the International Energy Agency that global energy needs increased by 40% in 2030. In addition, 80% increase in electricity consumption over the next 20 years would be in developing countries, and that oil and gas resources were limited.
“The ideologies calling for reversing the growth and progress do not offer solutions. These theories are selfish and aim to keep the poor in poor condition,” said Sarkozy.
“The solution lies in diversification, rationalization and scientific and technological progress …. The achievement of energy balance in the future will require nuclear power can be successfully applied in new countries. Otherwise, we will face all consequences, including the rapid depletion of fossil fuel resources, global warming faster and the social and political turmoil ever more “.
“The world should not be divided between countries with nuclear energy technology and those without,” he said.
“On the contrary, I believe that nuclear energy can be the glue that binds to a new form of global solidarity. It is our shared interest in working together to organize our interdependence. And it really means to work together because, from the fuel to the mining waste management, and at each stage of other fuel cycle, each of us need others. “
Stressing that nuclear energy story is closely interwoven in the modern history of France – which was a French scientist Henri Becquerel, who discovered radioactivity in 1896 – recalled that in the 1970s, France has decided to develop a full nuclear industry generate electricity on a massive scale, and this policy has been followed by all subsequent French governments, whether left or right. As a result, France now derives nearly 80% of its electricity from 58 nuclear reactors. The country is committed also to the third-generation pressurized water reactors in Europe.
“The example of France does not confer any special privileges. But it gives our country the duty to share his experience with all countries wishing to start or resume civilian nuclear programs,” said Sarkozy.
“This is our political will. This is our mission. We want to share our experience. We believe it is our duty to share our expertise and knowledge with other countries.”
The number of foreign students studying civil nuclear energy and technology in France has increased three times since 2007. Master’s degree International country now includes students from Algeria, Argentina, China, India, Jordan, Poland, Tunisia, UAE and Vietnam.
But Sarkozy wants France to do more. “I have decided to intensify our efforts to the creation of an International Institute for Nuclear Power, including an International School of Energy. It will bring together the best teachers and researchers to provide high quality education along with the most modern plants and research centers Saclay, where we will have Europe’s largest campus, and Cadarache. “
As part of this program to spread the French experience, the country is the creation of centers of excellence in other countries. The first was established in Jordan. Similarly, the Franco-Chinese Nuclear Energy Institute is being created in Canton, in cooperation with the University of Guangzhou.
“France is committed to this company (to share its nuclear expertise), it is deeply convinced that the use of nuclear energy is the key to greater equality in wealth distribution,” he said Sarkozy.