BRUSSELS: European Union energy ministers will hold an extraordinary meeting next week to assess the impact of quake-hit Japan's nuclear crisis on the vital industry, the EU's president said Wednesday.
Herman Van Rompuy said the ministers will hold talks in Brussels on Monday to "discuss the consequences for the energy sector and markets, and the response we can give."
European heads of state and government will then debate the consequences of the Japanese catastrophe at a long-scheduled summit on March 24-25, he said, "One aspect is nuclear safety," Van Rompuy said.
Amid concerns around the world, French President Sarkozy said Wednesday that France, proportionally the world's biggest user of nuclear power, would stick with it.
"France has made the choice of nuclear energy, which is an essential element of its energy independence and the fight against greenhouse gases," Sarkozy told a cabinet meeting, according to a statement released by his office.
At an urgent meeting with industry officials on Tuesday, EU states agreed to conduct voluntary tests on Europe's nuclear plants in the second half of the year to assess their ability to withstand the shock of earthquakes and floods.
Japan's growing nuclear emergency has prompted European nations to check safety at their plants while Germany decided to temporarily shut down seven reactors.
A European diplomat said the energy ministers would also discuss the impact of the upheaval sweeping across North Africa on gas and oil supplies.
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