Belarus, Turkey to ink agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy

Belarus and Turkey plan to sign an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The relevant negotiations took place in Ankara on 30 October as part of the meeting of technical delegations of the two countries, BelTA has learned.

Lilia Dulinets, Head of the Office for International Cooperation, Personnel Training, and Information Support of the Nuclear Energy Department of the Belarusian Energy Ministry, explained that Belarus and Turkey are interested in this cooperation because it is the first time the two countries are implementing projects to build nuclear power plants. “This is why the sides intend to share information about the implementation of these projects and to share the accumulated experience. A Belarusian-Turkish working group will be set up to work on the agreement,” said the official.

The agreement will stipulate cooperation between the two countries in creating nuclear energy infrastructure. The document will also take care of such cooperation avenues as nuclear safety and security, environmental protection, personnel training, scientific research and development for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and many other aspects.

The sides intend to establish cooperation between the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry and the Turkish Agency for Nuclear Energy. The sides have yet to discuss the signing of the relevant intergovernmental agreement.

Documents on the investment projects the Belarusian national electrical company Belenergo intends to carry out to build hydropower plants at small rivers of Belarus as well as wind farms have been shared with the Turkish side. “In addition to developing heat and nuclear power engineering the Energy Ministry pays close attention to projects in the area of alternative energy or renewable energy and we are interested in attracting foreign investments to implement these projects,” said Lilia Dulinets.