MINSK, 20 January (BelTA) – Belarus invites Lithuania to set up a joint agency for post-project analysis of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP), Belarusian First Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Iya Malkina told reporters on 20 January, BelTA has learned.
Iya Malkina noted that Belarus is open to discuss any matters related to the construction of the BelNPP. The country continues its effort to improve the dialogue with Lithuania. For instance, expert consultations were held in June and September 2016 to discuss the scientific and technical aspects of the BelNPP construction project. The participants considered a wide rage of issues of interest to Lithuanian experts.
Following the consultations, the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection sent an invitation to the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment on 23 December 2016 confirming its readiness to continue the dialogue at the expert level.
The priority issues that Belarus is ready to discuss include establishment of a joint body that would consider issues related to the environmental, nuclear and radiation safety of the nuclear facilities, development of a joint system for radiation monitoring of the nuclear power facilities located on both sides of the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, and establishment of a joint agency for post-project analysis of the BelNPP. Belarus is also ready to continue the work on the draft of the bilateral agreement on the implementation of the Espoo Convention.
