But it is also known to speak when needed

Six years after the signing of a contract for the provision of a third-generation reactor, TVO wants to make its voice heard. The Finnish Areva client considers that the delay of the construction site - the reactor must be put into service in June 2012 instead of may, 2009 - is due to the lack of preparation of the French nuclear group. "They have sold the EPR and it is only then that they started to make precise engineering plans", says Timo Rajala, Chair of BDV, paper group which holds about 60 of TVO. For its part, Areva said that the delay is related to the slowness of his client to process thousands of documents of the project.

AREVA threatens to halt the construction of Olkiluoto if you don't change behaviour. Do you take this threat seriously

First I must say that we were surprised when we heard it, because we had not received letter before that Areva announcement to the media. I imagine that the message was addressed to the French and us. But shortly after, they told us that they did not intend to stop the work. In any event, it is not malignant on their part. What could it help It would be a disaster for Areva. This EPR is their showcase.

For Areva, TVO is responsible for the delay of three years of the site because you post documents in eleven months, and not two as required by the contract. That answer you

We are in effect agreed to a period of two months in the contract, but it does not include that of Areva. They speak of a global time, which includes the entire chain: TVO, Areva, then again and finally the STUK nuclear safety authority. It is the quality of the documents which poses problem. However, if the documents are not complete, we know that STUK will not accept them, so we are sending in France and Germany.

But Anne Lauvergeon said that you run out of resources and that you need four months to your part only.

This is not the case. We are dealing with the vast majority of the documents within two months. But, too often, Areva needs five or six months to make the changes. It takes more time because the documents were not good from the start. From our point of view, they sold the EPR and it is only then that they started to make precise engineering plans. In regard to our resources, we have 400 engineers who work directly on the project.

But one can surely improve things. The 50 measures agreed with Areva should help, not

We actually tried to find a list of possible measures to improve the work. They have compiled a long list we need to do, but nothing about what they should do. A list was produced, but ultimately it was never accepted by both parties. So they have their list and we have ours. There is no common list signed by each. In practice, measurements are generally put in application.

You claim of 1.4 billion to the Chamber of commerce against Areva and Siemens partner. Them seek you 1 billion.

We have confidence in arbitration and, in any event, the documents are really not the essential reason for the delay. The first design took too much time: this is the real reason, but it is easier to wear the hat to his client. We have not changed our specifications and do not see why we streamed over. We do not want to pay their costs of research and development. AREVA will sell its EPR everywhere in the world and we suffer just delays.

Does this mean that you are not ready to negotiate

We are ready to discuss, but this project is still very open and it would be premature to conclude anything three years before commissioning. In some cases, for example if we ask more of components, we discuss and it is quite normal. But for large balances of the keys in hand, not contract. We will be able to negotiate to conclude an arrangement only when the project is on track to be completed. It is a marriage of sixty years, we must solve the problem. But it is too early to negotiate something of this importance. To do this, you must know exactly where you are and we do not know if Areva has settled all its problems.

You think the control

Yes. We understand that the architecture of the control is in place, but that the detailed engineering work must still be done. AREVA said two months ago that they wanted to ensure that the system works in all countries. It must be the same at Olkiluoto in Flamanville and Great Britain. We must wait. AREVA says that is not on the "critical path" and that this should not cause further delay. We hope that this is true.

How would you describe your relationship with Areva

On the site, the relations are good. But at the level of the group, we have apparently not normal trade relations. In my career, I've never had such problems. We have worked with other French companies, including Alstom and EDF, and have never had this kind of problems. This time, it is very special. The ability to listen to Anne Lauvergeon is not as good as its ability to speak. We Finns, we listen to much because we are a small country and for export, we must listen to. But it is also known to speak when needed.

How often do you meet Anne Lauvergeon

In the past, we we met three or four times a year. Now, it's less. This year, we we're seen just once last summer. We would like to see it more often.