Volfovich: Belarus' nuclear power plant safety is up to world's highest standards

MINSK, 13 October (BelTA) – State Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Volfovich visited Ostrovets District of Grodno Oblast on 13 October, BelTA has learned.

The state secretary met with local authorities, discussed the social, political and economic situation in the region, studied the operation of the Belarusian nuclear power plant and progress in its further construction.

In addition, Aleksandr Volfovich inspected a military unit of the internal troops that protect the Belarusian nuclear power plant and awarded distinguished servicemen.

After visiting the nuclear power plant, Aleksandr Volfovich told journalists that the ongoing energy crisis and the subsequent rise in energy prices made it clear that the head of state was absolutely right when he took a decision to build the plant.

“Belarus will never beg for energy sources. Having the nuclear power plant, the country will be provided with a reliable, efficient, environmentally friendly source of energy for decades to come. The Belarusian nuclear power plant has become one of the elements of sustainable development. It is able to give a new impetus to the country's development and strengthen its independence, energy and economic self-sufficiency,” he said.

At the same time, Aleksandr Volfovich drew attention to the fact that the Belarusian nuclear power plant still stands in the way of some European politicians involved in internal intrigues.

“You can see how Lithuania is whipping up the hysteria around the Belarusian NPP. They tirelessly repeat that it poses a mythical threat both to them and to the entire global community,” Aleksandr Volfovich noted. “I believe that Lithuania is on a ‘little revenge crusade' for its erroneous decision to shut down the Ignalina nuclear power plant. Moreover, its dismantling poses an environmental threat for the entire region. I urge the European nuclear safety regulators to pay due attention to the existing problems at the Ignalina NPP rather than to engage in the artificial politicization of this issue. As far as we know, everything is far from well there."

Aleksandr Volfovich noted that the negative statements of some European politicians against Belarus and the Belarusian NPP contradict common sense and look especially cynical and absurd as the governments of ten EU countries announced the intent to intensify the development of nuclear energy in order to protect European consumers from rising prices. Last year the neighboring Poland approved a program to build two nuclear power plants (3 power units each) in the north and in central parts of the country with American funding and to the American design. Lithuania has filed no objections to this.

About 450 nuclear units are currently in use around the world. Fifty more are being constructed. None of the developed countries has abandoned the use of nuclear energy, which is explained by the relative cheapness of such generation and high productivity of nuclear installations.

The state secretary of the Security Council has once again reaffirmed that the safety system of the Belarusian NPP meets the highest international standards. "The safety of the Belarusian NPP is the unconditional priority for our country," Aleksandr Volfovich said.