Belarus Recognized As Offender Of ESPOO Convention When Constructing NPP

The Belarusian side was criticized at the meeting in Geneva.

The Parties to the Espoo Convention consider the information on the choice of the site for the construction of the Belarusian NPP insufficient to recognize that Belarus is in compliance with the requirements of the convention.

This follows from the decision taken at the interim meeting of the parties to the convention in Geneva. The corresponding document is published on the website of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The parties approved the conclusions of the Espoo Convention Implementation Committee that the environmental impact assessment documentation of the Belarusian NPP "refers to alternative locations for the nuclear power plant and site selection criteria, but does not provide sufficient information to support and justify the choice of the Astravets site for a final decision in relation to this activity under the convention."

Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, who headed the Lithuanian delegation at a meeting in Geneva, called the decision “as favorable as possible for Lithuania,” Radio Libertyreports.

“Today in the agreement of the countries the conclusion was approved that Belarus violated international agreements and specifically the Espoo Convention during the construction of the Belarusian NPP, and violated this convention under three articles. So this is the final decision. ”