Boris Shmelev, Director of Center for Competitive Political Studies

– By adopting de facto decision that Byelorussian NPP will be built by Rosatom Belarus has shown that it trusts Russia

During a meeting in Minsk on Jan 21 2009 representatives of the Government of Belarus and Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation agreed to complete the drafting and to sign an inter-governmental agreement for peaceful use of nuclear energy in the first quarter of 2009. This agreement is expected to pave the way for direct negotiations on the contract for the turn-key construction of the first NPP in Belarus. First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said that the Byelorussian authorities were inclined towards the project offered by Atomstroyexport CJSC. The parties have agreed to sign the document in 2009.

The success of the Russian-Byelorussian negotiations for the construction of Byelorussian NPP proves that Russia and Belarus enjoy mutual confidence. NPP construction is not only technical but also political and geo-political measure. By adopting a de facto decision that Byelorussian NPP will be built by Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Belarus has shown that it trusts Russia and wants to cooperate with the country as it regards Russia as a long-term reliable partner.

Hence, all speculations that Belarus is trying to maneuver, that it is looking towards the West and is going to desert Russia are groundless. Belarus has proved once again that it is loyal to Russia. For us this project is important both politically and economically. NPP construction is a very serious contract that will give new jobs to our people and orders to our manufacturing companies. Russia’s task is to build the plant well and to prove that we can build such facilities. This will give us new niches on the world nuclear market.