Lithuanian Seimas adopted resolution against Belarusian nuclear power plant

Lithuanian Seimas is concerned with the fact that the radiation zones of the future nuclear power plants planned by Russia and Belarus, may extend up to the territory of Lithuania.

The radiation may reach the capital city of Vilnius and other cities and have impact on the river basin of Neris.

It has been stated in the resolution on the safety of future nuclear power plants in neighbouring regions of Russia and Belarus adopted by the Seimas on Thursday, DELFI reports.

This document was initiated by Emanuelis Zingeris, the chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee at the Seimas, and 84 members of the Seimas voted in favour, 2 against and 4 abstained.

The resolution requires that Belarus and Russia complied with the requirements of Espoo convention and the International Atomic Energy Agency, answered to all questions raised by Lithuania regarding the nuclear power plants projects meaningfully and organized public discussions in Lithuania, as well as bilateral consultations.

The document reminds that the political responsibility for safety of the nuclear power plants falls not only on the countries which develop such projects, but on the thirds parties which are involved.

The Seimas also supports all-out efforts aimed at setting and approving nuclear safety standards of the new generation.

“The tragic events of recent days in Japan and the nuclear power plant’s disaster which followed, have once again confirmed that during design work, construction and exploitation of nuclear power facilities, it is necessary to follow safety requirements demanded by international documents unfailingly and consistently, and to carry out in-depth environment impact evaluation at the earlier stages,” the resolution reads.

The resolution also stresses that developing the project of Visaginas nuclear power plant, Lithuania unfailingly adheres to provisions of the Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other international conventions and legal acts. Lithuania offers and is ready to offer the public of the neighboring countries all the necessary information on the project.