As the UK makes plans for new reactors at eight potential sites around the country, it pledged to increase cooperation with France on nuclear development and to foster construction deals among companies that include Areva, Rolls-Royce and EDF.The later company and its partner Centrica plan to build two Areva EPRs at the Hickley Point plant, and on Friday EDF announced a roughly $160 million site preparation contract with Kier BAM that represents the first major construction contract on the project. EDF also promised $23 million for a new training center in partnership with Bridgwater College and announced a memorandum of understanding with Areva confirming the timeframe for completing its construction contract negotiations.For its part, Areva furthered an agreement with Rolls-Royce reached in March. According to a Rolls-Royce release Friday, the British company will provide components and engineering services for new reactors at Hinkley Point, with Areva supplying the nuclear steam system. Rolls-Royce will provide an estimated $160 million in work for each reactor, with the companies planning to work together on as many as four EPRs in the UK.All told, the BBC reported the agreement between the British and French governments will help bring about nearly $800 million in deals related to the plants and create 1,500 jobs in the UK. It also included joint efforts to strengthen nuclear emergency preparedness in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency.