BMFTR: Research collaboration between Germany and France is a show of solidarity among friends

Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space, comments:

“German-French cooperation in science and cutting-edge research is one of the closest and most important partnerships of all. Only together can we be drivers of a strong Europe. In this very spirit, our cooperation has gained even more momentum since the last Franco-German Ministerial Council in 2025. Decisive new priorities have been set. Regular coordination in technology sectors important to both countries gives our initiatives even more momentum and, as evidenced by the signed declarations, sets in motion new activities through which we jointly address current challenges. This also strengthens the impact of Germany’s High-Tech Agenda. German-French research cooperation is a close alliance between partners and friends and the decisive factor for the success and sovereignty of the European peace project—whether through cutting-edge technology on our continent or in space.”

Background 

Together with her French counterpart, Research Minister Philippe Baptiste, Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär signed a comprehensive Joint Research Action Plan. It takes stock of the measures already implemented under the Franco-German Research Roadmap since the last Council of Ministers in 2025. Above all, however, the newly developed action plan sets priorities for new measures in future cooperation on the topics of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as fusion and battery research. Quantum technologies and breakthrough innovations also play an important role in the action plan. Furthermore, both countries emphasize the particular significance of their cooperation in European research and innovation policy, as well as in the corresponding programs, for the competitiveness and sovereignty of both countries and the EU.

In addition to the research action plan, the following agreements on closer cooperation were concluded:

• Fusion Energy: Both countries will continue to work closely together on research and innovation development in the field of fusion energy. With the Joint Declaration of Intent on Fusion Research signed by German Federal Minister of Research Dorothee Bär and French Minister of Research Philippe Baptiste, both countries recognize the crucial role of fusion energy as a safe, sustainable, and carbon-neutral contribution to meeting the future energy needs of Europe and the world and reaffirm their intention to cooperate more closely.
• Breakthrough Innovations: One outcome of the Franco-German Ministerial Council in Toulon in August 2025 was the establishment of a Franco-German task force on breakthrough innovations. It presented its findings in June 2026. With the roadmap on breakthrough innovations signed today by Minister Bär and French Minister of the Economy Roland Lescure, cooperation is being expanded to include joint measures. France and Germany are thus reaffirming their shared commitment to an innovative, competitive, and sovereign Europe.
• Quantum technologies are of crucial importance to both countries—not only in terms of technological sovereignty, but also for economic value creation and national security. Germany and France are therefore coordinating closely to ensure that a comprehensive innovation ecosystem and an industrial quantum value chain can also be established in Europe. Today, Federal Minister of Research Bär, together with her French counterpart Philippe Baptiste and French Minister of AI and Digitalization Anne Le Hénanff, signed a joint position paper on the European Quantum Act. This is a planned EU legislative initiative aimed at accelerating research, development, and the industrial deployment of quantum technologies in the EU.

Germany and France both attach great importance to space exploration as a means of strengthening the European economy, security, and sovereignty. As part of a trusting and intensive partnership for cooperation in all areas of space exploration, representatives from both countries are working on joint solutions for a robust space policy in Europe. This includes, among other things, creating the framework conditions for a competitive and technologically strong space industry in Europe and space-based services for use on Earth.

The Franco-German Ministerial Councils are held annually, alternating between Germany and France. At these meetings, both governments take stock of their progress and coordinate their future cooperation. This year, the German Federal Government is hosting the Ministerial Council at Augustusburg Palace in Brühl.

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