Lithuania’s stance on Belarus NPP is rather politically than environmentally motivated

Lithuania’s stand on the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has nothing to do with environment and safety and is rather politically charged, Chairman of the Belarusian public association “Environmental Initiative” Yuri Solovyov told media in Ostrovets on 17 August, BelTA has learnt.

The NPP information center in Ostrovets hosted the debates on the report on environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant with the participation of Lithuanian representatives. According to Yuri Solovyov, Belarus is running an intensive awareness campaign on various aspects related to the Belarusian NPP project.

“Taking into account the fact that the Belarusian nuclear project has taken its start, a successful start, contrary to the Lithuanian project, we can see that politics, not environment and safety, rule here. It should be noted that, unlike the Visaginas station in Lithuania, which fate is unclear, the nuclear project in Belarus will be implemented. As a result, the competition on the electricity market will strengthen due to the emergence of a new powerful player, and not everyone like it,” the expert stressed.

He also turned attention of those present at the meeting that the safety system at the Belarusian nuclear power plant which combines both active and passive measures is unmatched today. “If all the safety measures are applied, the Belarusian nuclear station will be the safest plant. Nuclear facilities built by Russian specialists and operating both in the Russian Federation and worldwide, including in the EU, are highly praised by foreign specialists and experts,” Yuri Solovyov added.