MINSK, 27 September (BelTA) – Belarus follows all the international procedures as part of the nuclear power plant construction process. The statement was made by Belarusian First Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Iya Malkina during the online conference hosted by the BelTA website on 27 September.
Asked about the recent Belarusian-Lithuanian consultations on the nuclear power plant, the official said: “We have repeatedly stated that the differences of opinion between Belarus and Lithuania regarding the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on the sidelines of the Espoo Convention where Lithuania's complaint about Belarus is reviewed are no longer productive. The Espoo Convention is an agreement that prioritizes procedures. And the Republic of Belarus has observed all the procedures specified by international requirements and national laws in full.”
The First Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister reminded that during the second round of the Belarusian-Lithuanian consultations Belarus once again suggested setting up a joint group to monitor the environmental situation around the nuclear power plant.
“We hope that, possibly with assistance of the general public of Lithuania, our colleagues will understand that it would be a good idea to start working together now instead of lodging complaints in order to take care of the safety of the population in Belarus and Lithuania later on,” stressed the official. “We are open and ready to answer any questions the Lithuanian side may be interested in.”
