France, Germany say establishing ‘nuclear steering group’

PARIS: France and Germany have set up a “nuclear steering group”, both countries said Monday, after President Emmanuel Macron announced more nuclear weapons and cooperation with European countries to help protect the continent.

“France and Germany have established a high-ranking nuclear steering group,” they said in a joint statement in English, in an arrangement they said would “add to, not substitute for, NATO’s nuclear deterrence”.

“France and Germany have agreed to take first concrete steps beginning this year, including German conventional participation in French nuclear exercises and joint visits to strategic sites as well as development of conventional capabilities with European partners.”