France & Germany Strain Ties On Nuclear In Green Energy Directive

Politico reports that the gas demand reduction (see 1146BST bullet) is unlikely to be the main sticking point of today's EU energy ministers meeting. Instead, divisions on whether to include nuclear-powered hydrogen in the Renewable Energy Directive are seen as featuring prominently. France and nine other countries want to see nuclear-powered hydrogen included in the directive as a source of renewable energy. However, Germany and seven others are opposed with the view that it could damage the EU's climate targets.

• Franco-German ties have been under strain for a period of time. Some have attributed the recent the difficulty in Paris and Berlin reaching a compromise on issues down to the absence of the UK. Without its role as an equally-sized economy to act as something of an arbiter in disputes, there is little to tip the balance in favour of either France or Germany when they come to loggerheads on major issues.
• A presser from Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson and Swedish Energy Minister and Deputy PM Ebba Busch expected following the meeting around 1730CET (1130ET, 1630BST). Livestream:https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/2/20230328