Opinions & Interviews

Asked whether the launch of the project to build a nuclear power plant in the UK has affected Lithuania’s stance on the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the official said: “You are better off asking Lithuania whether its stance on the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is affected or can be affected by its inability to implement a nuclear energy project of its own or the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the UK. In any case Belarus takes all the necessary measures — the organization of stress tests of the Belarusian nuclear power plant and the IAEA assessment missions — via the relevant national and international platforms to confirm the radioactive and nuclear safety of its own nuclear power plant.”

Nuclear energy is growing increasingly popular across the globe as a source of energy and an instrument to bolster the energy security of countries with insufficient energy reserves and poor reserves of hydrocarbons of their own. For instance, nuclear energy generates over 80% of France’s total energy budget. “The construction of the Hanhikivi nuclear power plant in Finland is in progress. The fifth and sixth power-generating units of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary are being built as well as 24 reactors in China. In mid-September the UK announced its decision to build a new nuclear power plant Hinkley Point C,” noted Iya Malkina.

The official reminded that it is up to every independent sovereign state to decide whether it needs nuclear energy or not. “The state guarantees the safety of a nuclear power plant to its citizens, first and foremost. Understanding the importance of properly operating nuclear installations and possible consequences on the global scale, every state also bears the responsibility of properly honoring its international commitments,” stated Iya Malkina.