France assures highest safety standards for nuclear reactors in India

France Thursday assured the highest safety standards for the nuclear reactors it plans to set up at Jaitapur, Maharashtra in western India, reported Indo-Asian News Service. Visiting French Foreign Minister Alan Juppe told reporters at a joint press interaction with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna that France is determined to be completely open on the steps it has taken for safety in building nuclear reactors in India. Safety provisions would be woven into the final agreement on EPR (European Pressurized Reactors), said Juppe. The Indian foreign minister also said the government remains committed to Jaitapur plant, despite protest from some local groups against a Russian-built nuclear plant in he southern state of Tamil Nadu. Juppe came here Thursday on a three-day visit to hold a wide- ranging strategic dialogue between France and India. France and India agreed to jointly build nuclear reactors in Jaitapur during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to New Delhi last November.