Belgium’s energy minister Mathieu Bihet has called on the European Commission to improve the security of supply of crucial medical radioisotopes by strengthening the resilience of the supply chain and securing the investments needed to maintain and expand the bloc’s under-pressure and ageing production capacities.

Bihet said the initiative was vital for public health, industrial competitiveness and Europe’s “strategic autonomy”.

Belgium’s energy ministry said in a statement the initiative is supported by “numerous” member states including Luxembourg, France, Portugal, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, Croatia, Malta and Romania.