By IRNA
Berlin : The Germany government dismissed news reports over the weekend about a major row between Berlin and Paris over the controversial nuclear deal with Libya.
Speaking at a news conference here Monday, deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said, "It has been suggested as if this issue (Libya-French atomic coop) is a bilateral conflict between Paris and Berlin. One has to note that German-French relationship is excellent.
There is a high degree of agreement on scores of political questions." "I reject the insinuation that there may be tensions or even a discord," he added.
German politicians have harshly criticized the French-Libyan atomic cooperation over the past several days.
The head of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee, Ruprecht Polenz joined international criticism over French plans to build up Libya's atomic power plants, labeling it a "bitter pill for the EU".
A leading member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Polenz said the unilateral action by French President Nicolas Sarkozy would weaken Europe's foreign policy ability to act.
Last week, German Deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler lashed out at the planned French-Libyan nuclear deal, saying it also targeted the German interests, according to news reports.
Erler pointed out that since the export of nuclear technology concerns also European security interests, there should be direct German and French consultations.
German interests are "directly affected" by Siemens, he stressed.
The German official's latest critical remarks come in the wake of a Libyan-French memorandum on building a new nuclear reactor in the Arab country.
The French nuclear energy company Areva NP which is a subsidiary of state-owned French nuclear holding Areva, is to be in charge of the Libyan atomic project.
Germany's Siemens holds a 34 percent stake in Areva NP.
The deal was signed as French President Nicolas Sarkozy held talks with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi on Wednesday, only a day after Tripoli freed six Bulgarian HIV medics.
Paris played a major role, along with EU officials, in securing their release.
Erler also accused the French government of acting against German interest by signing the nuclear cooperation accord with Libya.
He said Germany had also made an offer to Libya in the area of renewable energies, however Tripoli has yet to react to it.
In this context one has to see the French atomic agreement, Erler said.