English

Lithuanian premier hopeful of cancellation of Belarusian nuclear power project

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius expressed hope that Minsk would drop its plans to build a nuclear power plant close to the Baltic country's border, BelaPAN reports.

He said that Vilnius could encourage Minsk to change its mind on the project by offering cooperation in the sphere of nuclear energy, according to Lithuania's National Radio and Television.

"I think that by seeking such cooperation we could convince them that it is not very wise to build a nuclear power plant near the state border with Lithuania. But it is an issue to be decided upon in the future," he was quoted as saying last week.

"Maybe our neighbors will change their plans seeing our determination in carrying out our own plans without any hesitation, consulting our neighbors and moving forward step by step. For this purpose, no misunderstanding over our plans should be allowed," Mr. Kubilius said.

The Lithuanian prime minister expressed certainty that a strategic investor for the Baltic country's new planned nuclear power plant would be found by the beginning of next year. He said that the construction project also would involve Estonia, Latvia and Poland.