Ten European Union countries have spoken out in support of nuclear power, saying it is “absolutely essential” nuclear is included in the framework of the bloc’s sustainable finance taxonomy before the end of this year.

In an op-ed in the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir, the countries said nuclear energy is an affordable, stable and independent energy resource. Firstly, because it protects European consumers from price volatility, unlike gas. Secondly, because it contributes decisively to the independence of the EU’s sources of energy and electricity production.

The op-ed, signed by ministers from Romania, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary, said the goal of limiting warming to 1.5C or 2C in the 21st century can only be achieved “if we drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in the next eight years”. All 10 countries generate electricity from commercial nuclear power plants. Croatia has no nuclear power plants on its territory, but co-owns the Krško station with Slovenia.