Ministers from 16 European countries that back nuclear power pledged to continue to work together to promote the fuel following a meeting Friday to discuss nuclear energy's place in Europe's energy mix.

Participants described the gathering as an "informal" discussion rather than an orchestrated effort to organize lobbying on behalf of nuclear power at the European or global level. But the discussion comes amid debate in Brussels on nuclear stress tests, the complexion of Europe 's 2050 energy mix and other policy questions that could affect the prospect of nuclear energy versus other energy forms.

Some European countries, such as Germany and Belgium , have announced plans to end nuclear power or retreat from the fuel, while other countries, including Austria , have pushed for aggressive European-wide safety rules that could add significant costs to nuclear power.

French energy minister Eric Besson, who led a press conference, said the group had set plans to soon meet again in England .

"This is not something structured," Besson said. "But the 16 countries that have nuclear in their energy mix will exchange, inform and sometimes express themselves. That could have some weight."

James Sassoon, the U.K. 's Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, said the purpose of the gathering was for the 16 countries to reach a "shared agenda" on the importance of nuclear energy.

Participants emphasized the importance of leaving choices about the energy mix to individual countries rather than at the European level. Speakers said nuclear energy meets key European energy priorities, which include the provision of secure and low-cost energy, enhancing industrial competitiveness and meeting European climate objectives.

Some of the countries present, such as France and Sweden , produce significant amounts of nuclear energy, while others, such as Latvia and Poland , import nuclear power or plan to build new nuclear capacity.

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