MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – Belarus gave exhaustive answers to Lithuania's questions as the report on fulfilling the Nuclear Safety Convention was presented in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), BelTA learned from Olga Lugovskaya, Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor).
The report was presented during the Seventh Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety in the IAEA HQ on 31 March. Prior to the review meeting Belarus' report met increased interest, which was on par with the interest in reports of countries with a well-developed nuclear energy industry. The report met 214 questions, including 73 ones submitted by Lithuania. The Lithuanian side was interested in many aspects of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project, including the choice of the construction site, the organization of oversight functions, emergency response, and other things.
“We gave substantial and exhaustive answers to all the questions because we heard no remarks stating we had failed to answer something. The questions were brief while we tried to give detailed answers to avoid any misunderstandings,” said the Gosatomnadzor head. The report presentation procedure in the IAEA allowed asking additional questions about a national report.
Belarusian First Deputy Emergencies Minister Vasily Stepanenko said he believes that there is no need to politicize the situation around the Belarusian nuclear power plant project. “As far as technical requirements are concerned, the Lithuanian side can find no fault with us. As for the other points they raise, those are purely political demands,” he said.
