Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 2, The energy ministers of France and Belgium have signed a declaration of intent for the two countries to deepen their cooperation on nuclear energy. The move comes after Belgium decided to reverse its nuclear phase-out policy.

The declaration was signed in Paris on 23 July by Belgium's Federal Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet and France's Minister responsible for Industry and Energy Marc Ferracci.

The declaration aims to strengthen exchanges between the two governments in key areas, including: the extended operation of existing reactors; the development of new projects, including small modular reactors (SMRs); research and innovation; strategic supply chains; training and skills.

These thematic cooperation areas will be the subject of individual projects and specific working groups, Bihet said in a statement.

"After opening up the field of possibilities with the repeal of the 2003 law, we are now moving on to a new stage, that of the concrete construction of cooperation," he said. "With this declaration, we are sitting down with France, a friendly country, a major industrial partner, and a pioneer in civil nuclear power in Europe.

"The partnership is based on a shared ambition: to make nuclear power a strategic lever for a more sustainable, competitive, and resilient Europe. It demonstrates a desire to make nuclear power not only a tool for transition, but also an industrial and scientific pillar for future generations."

"This declaration demonstrates our shared commitment to developing our nuclear industries and launching ambitious energy programmes to secure our future," Ferracci said in a post on X. "I also commend Belgium's recent commitment to the European Nuclear Alliance, alongside France. Together, we advocate for a European energy strategy based on technological neutrality, energy sovereignty, and decarbonisation."

The European Nuclear Alliance currently comprises Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden, plus Belgium and Italy as observers. The alliance's members have committed to expanding their use of nuclear energy.

In May, Belgium's federal parliament voted by a large majority to repeal a 2003 law for the phase-out of nuclear power and banning the construction of new nuclear generating capacity. Under the phase-out policy, unit 1 of the Tihange plant was set to shut in October this year, with Doel 2 following in December. Belgium's last two reactors - Doel 4 and Tihange 3 - were scheduled to close in November 2025, but a final agreement was reached in December for the two units to continue operating for a further 10 years.

"This declaration is in line with the ongoing revival of the nuclear industry in Belgium, as confirmed by the amendment of the 2003 law and the announcement of the return of nuclear power to our energy mix," Bihet said. "It demonstrates our country's commitment to working hand in hand with its European partners on long-term strategic issues: security of supply, energy sovereignty, decarbonisation, and innovation."