Izvestia: “Safety of Belarusian nuclear plant guaranteed”
A new nuclear power plant, due to be built by Russian specialists in Belarus, will be absolutely safe, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin assured Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich during their negotiations in Minsk.
Russian-Belarusian trade turnover increased by 19% last year. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was happy with the news, but had some reservations.
"As far as the expanding trade turnover is concerned, you have, as usual, cheated us once again. Russian exports to Belarus grew by 8%, whereas Belarusian exports to Russia soared by over 46%. I hope these trends are temporary," Vladimir Putin said.
Several agreements were signed after the latest meeting of the Russian-Belarusian Union State's Council of Ministers.
"We are attaining extremely close integration between our countries' power grids, are launching construction of a Belarusian nuclear power plant, and are expanding an energy bridge with the European Union," said Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich.
Atomstroyexport, the general contractor, will commission the 2,400 megawatt Belarusian nuclear power plant on a turnkey basis by 2020. The Russian side is expected to issue a loan to Belarus for its construction. Preliminary estimates imply a $6 billion loan, although Minsk is asking for $9 billion.
"I can say right now that these projects [the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant] are of the latest generation. I want to stress that we now have an entire arsenal of progressive technical systems for facilitating the sustained and accident-free operation of nuclear power plants. They must and will be used to a maximum extent," Prime Minister Putin assured President Lukashenko.
"In resolving the issue of funding the construction of the nuclear power plant, the Belarusian power grid will become stronger and the production basis for a common Belarusian-Russian market will expand," said Prime Minister Myasnikovich.
"There is a good chance that Kazakhstan will also join this market. I am convinced that Belarus and Russia can attain similar integration principles in the gas and oil sector," he added.
Vladimir Putin noted that there are plans to implement a number of positive and interesting investment projects.
"I would like to mention just one of such project: a merger between the KAMAZ and MAZ automotive giants. Naturally, the creation of such a strategic alliance will make Belarusian and Russian enterprises more competitive. New, stable, and well-paid jobs will be created," he said.
Anastasia Savinykh
