Energy minister underlines Belarus' open, transparent cooperation with international organizations

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – Belarus advances cooperation with international organizations in the sphere of nuclear and radiation safety on the basis of principles of openness and transparency. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement as a Belarusian exposition was opened on the sidelines of the 65th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 20 September, the Energy Ministry press service told BelTA.

Viktor Karankevich noted that the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is in the final stage. Papers to begin commercial operation of the first unit of the nuclear power plant were signed in June. The completion rate of the second unit is nearly 90%. Hot trials of the reactor unit of the second unit are now in progress. Nuclear fuel will be loaded into the core of the second reactor this year. Thus, the physical launch of the second unit will begin. Commercial operation of the second unit is supposed to begin in 2022.

The Belarusian energy minister thanked the International Atomic Energy Agency secretariat for tangible support and for the opportunity to actively use all the IAEA's tools in the course of building the Belarusian nuclear power plant, including assistance provided within the framework of technical cooperation projects.

Viktor Karankevich stressed: “Nuclear and radiation safety are an indisputable priority for our country. We strictly follow this priority as we advance cooperation with our international partners on principles of openness and transparency.”

The exposition offers information about Belarus' accomplishments in the sphere of nuclear energy industry, about the implementation of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project, and about the development of social and economic infrastructure in the town of Ostrovets where many workers of the Belarusian nuclear power plant live.