PARIS, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday announced the launch of a prototype of fourth-generation nuclear reactor, which is expected to come into service in 2020.

    In a New Year's address to unions and business leaders, Chirac said "We need to stay ahead in nuclear energy."

    Chirac said that France was a key partner in both the third-generation EPR reactor, a Franco-German project being developed in northern France to come into service in 2012, and in ITER, an international experimental fusion reactor to be based in southern France.

    Chirac said that the seven-country International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) was an experimental, long-term project, and that France also needed to focus on meeting its medium-term energy needs.

    "What is at stake is the ability to harness the energy of the sun by the end of the century," he said.

    "Until then, we need to take new initiatives," he said, adding that the fourth generation of reactors, "those of the 2030s and 2040s, will produce less waste and make better use of resources."

    He also announced the creation in France of an independent nuclear safety agency.

    France is one of the 10 countries in the Generation IV International Forum, which was launched four years ago following a US initiative and is conducting research into new types of nuclear reactor.

    There are currently six design models for the reactors of the future, which aim to improve safety, resistance to proliferation, minimise waste and the use of natural resources as well as cut construction and operating costs.

    As to stocking radioactive waste, Chirac said a bill is in discussion now and is expected to be adopted by the end of the year.

    He also announced his intention to make France's public transport network to give up oil for alternative fuels with the next 20 years. Enditem