Germany will continue to oppose French plans to classify nuclear-generated electricity as “green energy,” according to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Baerbock made the remarks on Thursday in Paris, her first trip to the French capital since taking office.
“It is well known that we hold opposing views on the nuclear issue,” she said after meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Baerbock, who was sworn in as a member of the new German coalition government the day before, emphasized the importance of German-French relations to the European Union.
She praised France’s plans for a conference on Europe’s future after it assumes the rotating presidency of the EU council at the start of next year.
Within the bloc, a “taxonomy” debate is taking place to develop a common language in order to direct investment toward projects deemed sustainable.
France, along with Poland and the Czech Republic, wants nuclear power to be labeled “green,” whereas Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg oppose the idea.
The majority of France’s electrical energy is generated by nuclear power.
Baerbock emphasized the close partnership between the two largest EU economies ahead of Olaf Scholz’s visit to Paris on Friday, addressing her French colleagues in informal terms and thanking them for a “truly warm and friendly reception.”
Scholz is the leader of a three-party coalition that includes his Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP).
Baerbock is a Green Party co-leader who has been staunchly anti-nuclear since its inception.