UK and Italy get together for nuclear energy

On September 10, Prime Ministers of Britain and Italy announced that the two countries will get together for development of nuclear power energy. Both agreed that nuclear energy could play a crucial part in reducing the dependence on expensive fossil fuels. It will also help in achieving the shared objectives of both countries in terms of energy security and climate change.

Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi said that his country will work closely with Britain in speeding up investments into nuclear power and alternative energy sources. He hoped that EU should soon have a single policy on nuclear power.

Presently, Italy is the only G8 nation not having nuclear power. In 1987, after the Chernobyl disaster of ex-Soviet Union, the country rejected a referendum on using nuclear power plants as a source of energy.

But the situation has come round a full circle. High costs of fossil fuel imports, their effect on the environment and energy security concerns have made Italy all too willing for nuclear power. Italy plans to start building nuclear power plants within 5 years.

The two PMs also discussed rising food prices and credit crunch affecting the popularity of governments the world over. Both countries are reeling under the effects of global financial turbulence. European banks have tightened the credit standards which have put heavy pressure on small and medium companies in running their businesses. Both leaders gave their commitment that their governments will work together to help such companies. They also felt that Europe needs urgent economic reforms to help its people tide over the difficult times.