No new nuclear plant for Pakistan: France

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Anne Marie Idrac on Thursday said her country would not set up a nuclear plant in Pakistan.

At a press conference, she said France would provide technical assistance to Pakistan to improve security of its existing civil nuclear facilities.

She said her country required the international community’s permission before commissioning a nuclear plant in Pakistan or any other country.

France was supporting Pakistan due to the restoration of democracy and Islamabad’s commitment to carry on the war on terror, the French minister said.

The French minister said Pakistan was going through a difficult phase, adding that France would not only provide financial aid, but would also help in capacity building of its armed forces. She said France would provide modern equipment to tackle terrorism.

The French official hoped that Pakistan would be successful in implementing democracy and fighting terrorism. Idrac said France had pledged 300 million euros in aid for Pakistan at the Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo.

Last year, the French minister said trade between the two countries showed a six percent increase. France would also start several development projects for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_3