13.10.2011
Belarus’ questions about Lithuania’s NPP still unanswered
MINSK, 13 October (BelTA) – Belarus is still waiting for the answers regarding the construction of the Visaginas nuclear power plant in Lithuania, Deputy Energy Minister of Belarus Mikhail Mikhadyuk told reporters on 13 October, BelTA has learnt.
Belarus held two consultations with Lithuania on the construction of the future nuclear power plant and answered all Lithuania’s questions following the consultations. “However, Lithuania provided no answers regarding the environmental impact assessment of its future nuclear power plant,” the Deputy Energy Minister said.
Mikhail Mikhadyuk emphasized that the preparation for the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was extremely open and was supported by the IAEA. Belarus discussed Lithuania’s complaints with the European Commission and the IAEA. “Belarus received no claims regarding the observation of international requirements and conventions while implementing its nuclear project,” the Deputy Energy Minister emphasized. The IAEA absolutely supports the preparation works and the construction site. This project is among the best in the world in terms of safety; therefore, Lithuania’s complaints are ungrounded. Still Belarus is ready to discuss the thorny issues with Lithuania if needed, he said.
Alexander Andreyev, Head of the State Ecological Examination Office of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, said that Belarus completed the consultations on the environmental impact assessment of its future nuclear power plant with all the stakeholders, including Lithuania. Consultations might also be held on the post-project analysis. “This is the next stage of the work and it will be carried out with the interested countries,” Alexander Andreyev said.
As for the environmental impact assessment, all the stages of the assessment were completed; the substantiation of investments and construction was approved; all the countries were informed about it. Besides, the construction site was also approved, and all the parties concerned were informed about it.
Alexander Andreyev believes that Lithuania’s complaints of the construction site of the future nuclear power plant of Belarus are politically motivated. After all, Lithuania is going to construct its Visaginas nuclear power plant just 2.3 kilometers away from the Belarusian border. Their environmental impact assessment report says nothing about the final choice on the reactor for their NPP. They consider all types of reactors, including the Russian one, which will be used at the Belarusian NPP. This points to double standards in Lithuania’s approach, the specialist noted. He emphasized that Belarus answered all Lithuania’s questions during the consultations. “They have the right to be unhappy about the construction site of the future Belarusian NPP. We have the right to make our own decisions,” Alexander Andreyev said. He added that these decisions will be made taking into consideration all the international commitments of the country. He reminded that many foreign specialists confirmed the safety of the Belarusian NPP. Among them are members of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Some mass media sources inform that Lithuania is considering, among other options, the use of the so-called boiling-water reactor, the one that was used by Japan’s Fukushima.
Belarus held two consultations with Lithuania on the construction of the future nuclear power plant and answered all Lithuania’s questions following the consultations. “However, Lithuania provided no answers regarding the environmental impact assessment of its future nuclear power plant,” the Deputy Energy Minister said.
Mikhail Mikhadyuk emphasized that the preparation for the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was extremely open and was supported by the IAEA. Belarus discussed Lithuania’s complaints with the European Commission and the IAEA. “Belarus received no claims regarding the observation of international requirements and conventions while implementing its nuclear project,” the Deputy Energy Minister emphasized. The IAEA absolutely supports the preparation works and the construction site. This project is among the best in the world in terms of safety; therefore, Lithuania’s complaints are ungrounded. Still Belarus is ready to discuss the thorny issues with Lithuania if needed, he said.
Alexander Andreyev, Head of the State Ecological Examination Office of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, said that Belarus completed the consultations on the environmental impact assessment of its future nuclear power plant with all the stakeholders, including Lithuania. Consultations might also be held on the post-project analysis. “This is the next stage of the work and it will be carried out with the interested countries,” Alexander Andreyev said.
As for the environmental impact assessment, all the stages of the assessment were completed; the substantiation of investments and construction was approved; all the countries were informed about it. Besides, the construction site was also approved, and all the parties concerned were informed about it.
Alexander Andreyev believes that Lithuania’s complaints of the construction site of the future nuclear power plant of Belarus are politically motivated. After all, Lithuania is going to construct its Visaginas nuclear power plant just 2.3 kilometers away from the Belarusian border. Their environmental impact assessment report says nothing about the final choice on the reactor for their NPP. They consider all types of reactors, including the Russian one, which will be used at the Belarusian NPP. This points to double standards in Lithuania’s approach, the specialist noted. He emphasized that Belarus answered all Lithuania’s questions during the consultations. “They have the right to be unhappy about the construction site of the future Belarusian NPP. We have the right to make our own decisions,” Alexander Andreyev said. He added that these decisions will be made taking into consideration all the international commitments of the country. He reminded that many foreign specialists confirmed the safety of the Belarusian NPP. Among them are members of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Some mass media sources inform that Lithuania is considering, among other options, the use of the so-called boiling-water reactor, the one that was used by Japan’s Fukushima.