Lithuania's complaint about Belarusian nuclear power plant seen as part of information campaign

MINSK, 24 November (BelTA) – Lithuania's note of protest concerning the Belarusian nuclear power plant is part of a major information campaign against Belarus, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry told BelTA.

According to the source, Lithuania uses various information pressure tools including attempts to scare its own population with “the nuclear threat the Belarusian nuclear power plant represents”. Lithuania continues a major information campaign against Belarus by promoting anti-Belarusian rhetoric on international platforms. Unable to present concrete facts to prove the unsafe nature of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Lithuania once again resorts to unsubstantiated accusations with a clearly politicized subtext. The Belarusian Energy Ministry said that the content of Lithuanian statements does not change. They contain nothing new and nothing important for ordinary people and most importantly they do not contain a shred of truth. Attempts of Lithuanian politicians to earn bonuses in the eyes of European colleagues, attract the attention of the European community by portraying the Belarusian nuclear power plant as a threat to Europe have not been accepted seriously for a long time. They look more and more like fight against windmills. Belarus is not the only one to think like that, the source assured.

The Energy Ministry stressed that the Belarusian nuclear power plant meets the necessary nuclear safety requirements. It has been confirmed multiple times by respected international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). Another mission of international experts is expected to visit the Belarusian nuclear power plant one of these days.

The construction of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is in the final stage. The loading of fresh nuclear fuel into the second unit's reactor is supposed to begin in December. All the operations taking place at the nuclear power plant are closely overseen by the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) and other oversight agencies.

The Energy Ministry press service said: “Once the two units of the Belarusian nuclear power plant are operational, our country will substantially improve its energy security, which is particularly important considering the evolving energy crisis in Europe. The crisis has also affected Lithuania where power-generating capabilities are in short supply: prices for electricity spiked during the heating season. Meanwhile, Lithuania calmly and without fuss accepts statements made by governments of European countries about the need to intensify the development of nuclear energy industry and about plans to build new units of nuclear power plants. Why does it pay so much attention to the Belarusian nuclear power plant then? It is obvious that double standards are at play.”