Paris - French nuclear energy company Areva said Tuesday it has signed a 15-year contract with Czech utility CEZ to provide enriched uranium for its Temelin power plant.

A statement by CEZ said the contract was "a very important part" of its long-term strategy to diversify energy supply.

The Czech company operates six nuclear reactors on two sites, which provide 31 per cent of the Czech Republic's electricity generation.

One of the world's largest nuclear technology companies, Areva has been tabbed to turn Iran's enriched uranium into nuclear fuel if Teheran accepts a Western proposal regarding its nuclear energy sector. (dpa)