29 March 2024, Friday, 16:20
Support
the website
Sim Sim,
Charter 97!
Categories

President Of Lithuania: EU-Belarus Agreements Should Reflect Our Position On Belarusian NPP

President Of  Lithuania: EU-Belarus Agreements Should Reflect Our Position On Belarusian NPP
GITANAS NAUSĖDA
PHOTO: DELFI

Gitanas Nausėda called on European politicians to boycott electricity from the Astravets NPP.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda called on Belarus “to immediately implement international standards set by international experts for nuclear safety at the Astravets NPP”.

The Lithuanian president added that the Astravets NPP does not meet the international standards, and poses a threat to Lithuania’s national security, the Charter97.org correspondent in Vilnius reports.

Nauseda in his statement noted that he supported the actions of the Lithuanian government with regard to the Astravets NPP, and called for protection at the EU level against threats posed by unsafe nuclear power plants in the third countries. Including - by ensuring that the electricity produced there is not purchased.

“This means that all future EU agreements with Belarus should reflect Lithuania’s position regarding the Astravets NPP,” said Nausėda.

The President of Lithuania recalled that the agreement on the priorities of the partnership between the EU and Belarus makes it possible to establish specific conditions, which include respect for democratic values and nuclear safety requirements.

At the same time, Nausėda added that the independence of Belarus and the preservation of the country's statehood remain Lithuania's long-term national interest.

“In the context of energy, economic, military and political rapprochement between Belarus and Russia, it would be irresponsible to support further isolation of Minsk,” the president said.

From October 1 to 4, exercises are held in Lithuania to respond to a possible accident at the Astravets nuclear power plant under construction in Belarus. The exercises scenario simulates a nuclear or radiological incident at the Astravets NPP.

The exercises will last four days and will include the development of various actions in case of a nuclear or radiological threat.

On October 1, the public warning system is checked: from 10.15 to 10.18, the public warning system was checked, the relevant institutions checked the sirens. Alert messages were also received by the cell phones of Lithuanian citizens.

“A timely message can help prevent a catastrophe. Therefore, I strongly recommend that residents check to see if this information reaches you. If not, take care of your safety - visit the emergency preparedness site lt72.lt and configure your phones in accordance with the instructions provided,” explained Lithuanian Interior Minister Rita Tamašunienė.

Residents who hear the sound of sirens or receive an alert message on the phone are advised to turn on the radio or TV, which will provide information about the threat and how to prepare for it.

At 14.00, the Ministry of Internal Affairs convened a government emergency commission led by Minister of the Interior Rita Tamašunienė. During the meeting, the commission will appoint the head of the training center.

On October 2, the training evacuation of the population will take place. Responsible services evacuate 50 volunteers each from the Shvenchensky district to Zarasaysky, from Vilnius district to Kalvariysky, from Shalchininsky district to Varensky. According to the National Plan for the Protection of the Population, the evacuation zone includes an area of 30 kilometers around the Astravets NPP.

On the same day, the distribution of iodine-containing tablets will be modeled.

Decontamination, radiological cleaning and preparation of equipment will be worked out. The Ministry of Internal Affairs urged residents not to be frightened by the officers in protective clothing, who can be seen in the places of the exercises.

On October 3, radiological reconnaissance will be tested - both aerial and ground. To carry out exercises, two helicopters will be lifted into the sky.

On October 4, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will summarize the exercises. The assessment will bring together experts and observers from Latvia, Poland, Estonia and the UK.

Lithuania has repeatedly criticized Belarus for failure to comply with safety requirements during the construction of the Astravets NPP. In 2017, the Lithuanian Parliament recognized the nuclear power plant under construction as threatening the national security of Lithuania. In the same year, the Sejm passed a law prohibiting the purchase of electricity from unsafe nuclear power plants.

Write your comment

Follow Charter97.org social media accounts