PARIS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - France's environment minister said he hoped state-controlled power utility EDF would boost its stake in nuclear firm Areva by the end of the year.
Jean-Louis Borloo, who is the second-ranking minister in France's conservative-led government, told Les Echoes in an interview that he hoped EDF would 'advance forward between now and the end of the year.'
EDF owns 2.4 percent of Areva, which builds and exports nuclear power stations.
The government has taken steps to encourage EDF to take a larger stake and the two state-controlled companies, which have been seen as rivals, are expected to sign a nuclear partnership in which EDF would take a leading role.
Some analysts have criticised the move, saying it would limit EDF's supply choices and strategy abroad.
(Reporting by Pierre Serisier, Writing by Tim Hepher; Editing by Marguerita Choy) Keywords: FRANCE EDF/ (+331 4949 5452 paris.equities@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Jean-Louis Borloo, who is the second-ranking minister in France's conservative-led government, told Les Echoes in an interview that he hoped EDF would 'advance forward between now and the end of the year.'
EDF owns 2.4 percent of Areva, which builds and exports nuclear power stations.
The government has taken steps to encourage EDF to take a larger stake and the two state-controlled companies, which have been seen as rivals, are expected to sign a nuclear partnership in which EDF would take a leading role.
Some analysts have criticised the move, saying it would limit EDF's supply choices and strategy abroad.
(Reporting by Pierre Serisier, Writing by Tim Hepher; Editing by Marguerita Choy) Keywords: FRANCE EDF/ (+331 4949 5452 paris.equities@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.