The prime ministers of France and Japan attended high-level talks in Tokyo on enhancing nuclear cooperation between the two countries. The talks included cooperation in nuclear safety and research on decommissioning nuclear facilities.

Areva's proposed methodology to demonstrate the strength of the reactor vessel of the EPR under construction at Flamanville is "acceptable", according to a letter French nuclear regulator published on its website yesterday. The ASN (Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire) referred to the recommendations  a group of nuclear pressure equipment specialists (GP ESPN) had made following a meeting with the regulator on 30 September.

A cooperation agreement has been signed between Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to promote the exchange of information and experience in decommissioning nuclear facilities.

The construction of a used fuel processing and recycling facility in China is expected to begin in 2020 and be completed by 2030. The facility will be based on French technology.

Areva Med, the subsidiary of French engineering company Areva for the development of cancer treatments, has begun construction of its second lead-212 production facility.

Several international cooperation agreements related to nuclear safety and regulation have been signed this week on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency's General Conference in Vienna.

French nuclear research centres in Saclay and Cadarache have become the first to be designated international research hubs under a scheme launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last year.

Areva faces three major challenges as it turns itself around from its record 2014 losses, company CEO Philippe Knoche said today.

French utility EDF has put back the start up date of the EPR unit under construction at Flamanville by about one year while the cost of the project has now tripled from its original estimate.

EDF has agreed to take a stake of at least 51% in Areva's reactor business, according to a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies yesterday that sets out the principal terms and conditions of the plan.

France's National Assembly yesterday gave final approval of the country's energy transition bill. Under the legislation, France's reliance on nuclear energy will be reduced to 50% of power generation by 2025.

A number of agreements were signed yesterday between Chinese and French nuclear energy companies aimed at strengthening their cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle and power reactors.