Germany and France to strengthen technology alliance

Germany and France agreed on Friday to expand their cooperation on key technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), space exploration, nuclear fusion and quantum technology, and agreed to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty overall.

The agreement came during a Franco-German ministerial council meeting at Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, near Cologne.

Separate talks led by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a nearby airbase also brought agreement on deeper cooperation in nuclear deterrence, amid growing concern over the reliability of the United States to guarantee Europe nuclear protection.

A joint "high-level working group on outer space" was established at the palace meeting, the sides said in a joint statement. Both countries emphasized the "crucial role" of the planned European satellite system Iris2, which, with around 300 of its own satellites, is aimed at reducing dependence on other providers.

The system is essential for a "resilient, combined and robust European space infrastructure," the statement emphasized.

Regarding nuclear fusion, it said: "We recognize the crucial role of fusion energy as a safe, sustainable and carbon-neutral solution to meet the future energy needs of Europe and the world."