Ljubljana - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec doubled down on Slovenia's support for making nuclear energy a part of the EU's taxonomy of sustainable energy sources, telling the press on Friday that nuclear was crucial to Slovenia's and EU efforts to carry out the green transition.

"As a nuclear country, Slovenia supports the inclusion of nuclear energy and natural gas in the EU taxonomy," he said during a presentation of the achievements of Slovenia's EU presidency.

The EU is split on this issue, with Germany and Austria in particular insisting nuclear should not be a part of the mix. Slovenia, however, has joined a group of ten countries spearheaded by France that support nuclear sources.

Vrtovec said more and more member states were realising that nuclear energy was an opportunity to achieve climate goals and energy independence.

Turning to the country's EU presidency, Vrtovec named the start of debate on the Fit for 55 package as one of the biggest achievements alongside a proposal to promote low-carbon sources in maritime transport and an agreement with the European Parliament on the revision of a decree on pan-European energy infrastructure.

Overall, he said energy from renewable sources was the basis for the energy transition and efforts to improve energy efficiency must be stepped up.

He acknowledged, however, that ambitious European rules were a challenge for all member states.