Sochi, 20 September 2008. OJSC INTER RAO UES and the French company Electricite de France (EDF) have signed today the Protocol for Strategic Partnership Development. On behalf of EDF, the document was signed by Director for European Countries Mark Boudier, on behalf of OJSC INTER RAO UES – by Chairman of the Management Board Evgeniy Dod. The Protocol was signed within the framework of the 13th meeting of the Russian-French Intergovernmental Commission held on 19-20 September 2008 in Sochi.

The document confirms the interest of the both parties in expanding mutual investments in electric power industry and development of joint projects in the field of electrical energy generation. The Protocol stipulates the possibility of  OJSC INTER RAO UES joining EDF investment projects, as well as EDF participation in investment projects of OJSC INTER RAO UES, both on the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad.

Possible lines of cooperation between the two companies include cross-investing in electric power industry facilities, and establishment of joint ventures in the field of energy trading.

According to the Protocol, the parties intend to inform each other of prospective investment projects in the field of electric power industry, to develop scientific and technological cooperation and to promote execution of other contracts and agreements aimed at performance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by OJSC INTER RAO UES and EDF in Paris 23 April 2007.

The EDF Group, one of the leaders in the energy market in Europe, is an integrated energy company active in all the businesses: power production, transport, distribution, selling and trading. The Group is the leading electricity producer in Europe. In France, it has mainly nuclear and hydraulic production facilities.