French finance minister applauds UK decision on Hinkley Point

"This marks a major milestone in Franco-British industrial and energy cooperation," French Economy minister Michel Sapin said in a statement.

The 18 billion pound ($23.78 billion) project, that will be part financed by the Chinese, has divided opinion in France at a time when EDF's finances are stretched already by the absorption of loss-making nuclear plant builder Areva.

Sapin called the project "good news" for the French nuclear industry and said it would showcase its nuclear technology globally.

($1 = 0.7569 pounds)

(Reporting by Matthias Blamont; editing by Richard Lough)