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By finally determining the site of the planned nuclear power plant and by signing agreements on the project, Belarus does not comply with international standards, which provide that a priority site for the construction could be determined only after carrying out an environmental impact assessment and after answering all the questions raised by the countries that could possibly feel the impact.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically denies the constantly appearing statements by high-ranking Belarusian officials that the questions of Lithuania on the issue of the development of the Belarusian nuclear project were answered and that the documentation of the environmental impact assessment of the nuclear power project was agreed upon with Lithuania.

Despite Lithuania’s repeated requests, there have been no answers to basic questions regarding the seismic testing of the site until now, although strong earthquakes were recorded in the location of the planned construction site in the past, the criteria for choosing this site, the impact on the River Neris of the cooling of the nuclear power plant, residents, the surroundings, the potential action that should be taken in the event of a major accident, etc. The Lithuanian society is not properly informed about the project and there have been no bilateral expert consultations, all the inquiries of Lithuanian authorities are ignored.

However, the Belarusian presidential decree of 15 September 2011 on the dislocation and design of the nuclear power plant in Belarus finally established that the site of the planned nuclear power plant should be in the Astravets District of the Grodno Region. Thus, Belarus roughly violated the UN Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo) and did not comply with it.

Moreover, even without having carried out the procedures that are mandatory under international conventions or reaching an agreement on the project of the nuclear power plant, treaties are being signed with Russia on the project already.

Nuclear incidents do not recognize state borders. Therefore, such objects have to be constructed in accordance with the highest nuclear safety standards and all the applicable binding international agreements and conventions.

By approving the construction site of the planned nuclear power plant and by developing the nuclear project without having carried out all of the necessary research, Belarus has violated the provisions of the Espoo Convention, which provide that the priority construction site for the nuclear project can be determined only after an environmental impact assessment is carried out, i.e., when the questions of all the countries that may be impacted are answered, and their society is informed about the project, also after holding the bilateral expert consultations.

In view of the fact that Belarus is only declaring, but does not really comply with the stipulations of the Espoo Convention, Lithuania has addressed the implementation secretariat of the Espoo Convention requesting to clarify to Belarus the application of the Espoo Convention, and to suspend the implementation of the nuclear project until all the mandatory procedures will be carried out.

The environmental impact assessment process of the Belarusian nuclear power plant under the Espoo Convention remains incomplete. Therefore, in accordance with this Convention, no final decisions should be taken.

The statements of high-ranking officials, constantly appearing in the Belarusian media that allegedly the site in Astravets has been assessed and approved by the special mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are not correct. Therefore, we expect that on 19-21 September 2011, the IAEA General Conference will approve the action plan on nuclear safety, which contains provisions regarding the transparency and proper information to the public, and will ensure the transparent and safe implementation of nuclear projects.

In order to avoid undue speculations on behalf of the IAEA, we have raised a suggestion to announce general information about the IAEA missions, scope of work and results on the organization’s website.