The French development minister, Pascal Canfin, has called Niger's requests "legitimate" in the dispute between the country and the French industrial giant Areva.
The French government has spoken out about ongoing negotiations between Niger and Areva regarding the exploitation of uranium in that country, which is one of the poorest in the world.
Areva and officials from Niamey, Niger's capital, are trying to reach an agreement on new uranium extraction contracts for the next 10 years, as their previous deal has expired. Negotiations have stalled as Niger wants to end the tax exemptions Areva enjoys by applying its 2006 mining law to the company.
Asked by the French Green MP Noël Mamère about the issue, Canfin said the government was in favour "of an agreement compatible with Areva's uranium exploitation conditions". "But – I am telling you this very clearly – [the agreement] will allow Niger to increase the tax income it is entitled to."
The government had remained tight-lipped until now about the negotiations, in which it has a stake: the French state is Areva's main shareholder.
Canfin insisted the request from the former French colony was valid. "Niger's requests are considered by this government – and not by the previous government – as legitimate," Canfin said. "We are fighting for transparency in the world – at the G8, at the G20, at the European level – and we will do it in Niger," the minister added.
Canfin's position was hailed by Oxfam. "In this tug-of-war between Niger and Areva, the French government, which is a shareholder for more than 80% of the multinational company, had been very discreet until now," the NGO said. "The answer of the development minister, Canfin, suggests that the government is finally following the file closely and could take its main shareholder's responsibility."
The French government had already been involved in the Areva-Niger negotiations by appointing an ombudsman, François Bujon de l'Estang, a former ambassador and president of the Cogema, Areva's predecessor company.
Areva and the Nigerian government agreed to conclude the negotiation by the end of February.