UNDATED (AP) — Siemens and its largest competitor in the wind turbine business, General Electric, appear to be ready for a fight over Alstom, best known for its high speed trains. Siemens AG says it is prepared to discuss a tie-up with its French rival. Siemens says it sent the Alstom board a letter “to signal its willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities” but declined to elaborate.

The move announced Sunday comes amid heated speculation that General Electric Co. is considering buying Alstom. The French government is cool to the idea of a buyout of a company that pioneered TGV high-speed trains, later exporting them around the world, and builds nuclear turbines.

France’s economy minister says the country’s national interest is at stake in a potential sale of engineering giant Alstom and is warning the company against making a hasty deal with General Electric.

French President Francois Hollande met Sunday with top members of the government to discuss the Alstom situation.