Aleksandr Lukashenko offered the construction of the NPP in Belarus to Japan.

The President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko invited the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Company to participate in the construction of the Belarusian NPP as well as in other projects in the sphere of energy. In October, Lukashenko addressed Lithuania submitting similar offer, but was refused.

Belarus is ready to cooperate with Japan in the sphere of energy. This was stated on 11 November by the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko at the meeting with the representatives of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Company, reported ITAR-TAAS.

According to the words of Lukashenko, his state is ready to allocate huge amounts of funds in order to ensure energetic safety, and the experience of Japan, who might take part in such projects, would be more than handy.

So far as own money, not to mention the technology, for the construction of the NPP is not available in Belarus, “we must actively search for new ways in developing the energy sector, attract new partners for addressing strategic goals”, noted Lukashenko promising to create all necessary conditions for the work of Japanese companies.

In October Lukashenko addressed the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite with the similar offer (concerning the joint construction of the NPP on the territory of Belarus). However, this idea was somewhat sceptically met. The press secretary of the Lithuanian President specified that this NPP has no perspectives.

Certainly, this offer by Lukashenko was addressed more to the European Union than to Lithuania, as neither Belarus, nor Lithuania can afford the construction of the NPP. Two months earlier Lukashenko accused Russia in hindering the issue of the NPP construction. At the same time he did not exclude the possibility that Moscow will refuse from this project. “We must think of another investor”, - spoke the Belarusian leader.

The offer by Lukashenko inviting Japan to participate in the construction of the NPP looks like desire to hurt Russia, which alongside with Europe, USA and Japan claims to world domination in the sphere of nuclear energy, experts consider.

Subsequently, the construction of the NPP is too costly for Belarus, noted analyst of “InvestCafe” Anastazija Sosnova. However, as for Lithuania, too. But Japan might find the offer of Lukashenko quite interesting.

“The construction of NPP means the construction of reactors by certain nuclear fuel, which is produced in Japan, and therefore all subsequent contracts for the fuel supply would be concluded with Japan. As well as with Russia. The intension was to construct the Russian type reactors for the NPP in Belarus, i.e. for the Russian fuel”, clarified Sosnova.

For the reference: the experience of Mitsubishi – 26 constructed NPPs. The portfolio of annual orders of the company – EUR 27 billion. It produces reactors of increased security and reliability of the generation “3+”, meeting all international requirements on nuclear and radiation safety.

Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from «ВЗГЛЯД» of 11 11 2010

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