Nikolay Ponomarev-Stepnoy, Vice President of Kurchatov Institute

– Byelorussian specialists will readily take part in all activities to design and build Byelorussian NPP

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.

We have cooperated with Byelorussian research institutes on different nuclear reactors for almost 40 years. That’s why today the Byelorussians have opted for Russia as a partner they already know and I think that Byelorussian specialists will readily take part in all activities to design and build Byelorussian Nuclear Power Plant.

We have similar plans in Kazakhstan, i.e. we have agreed with the Kazakhs to carry out a similar project. I think that the restoration of our relations with our colleagues will help us to successfully implement our big program to develop nuclear energy and will be useful for our partners.

The project to build a nuclear power plant in Belarus dates back to the Soviet times. So, it will be right decision if Belarus gives preference to Russia. As regards Russia, this contract will give it a new partner and will enhance the competitiveness of our nuclear technologies on the world market.