The Seimas adopted a resolution on the threat posed by the Astravyets nuclear power plant

Press release, 5 May 2020

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

The Seimas urged the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to take immediate steps to block the Lithuanian electricity market from access of electricity from Belarus and to implement all the requirements under Article 4 of the Law on Necessary Measures against Threats Posed by Unsafe Nuclear Power Plants in Third Countries.

Concurrently, the Seimas urged the Government to resort to the technical measures to restrict, well ahead of the start of operation of the Astravyets NPP, the provision of electricity from Belarus to Lithuania to the minimum level necessary to ensure reliable operation of Lithuania’s power network.

The Seimas Resolution to this effect (draft No XIIIP-4611(3)) was adopted by 82 votes in favour with 4 abstentions.

The Resolution further urges to seek adoption by the European Union of a legally binding decision on the threat posed to the EU’s population by the Astravyets NPP and to achieve appropriate action at the EU level regarding Belarus and Russia in this respect.

The Government is invited to make every effort to ensure that Lithuania’s allies impose sanctions on the entities in charge of the construction, other enterprises, and intermediaries engaged in the construction of the Astravyets NPP and participating in trade in the compromised electricity produced thereby.

The Resolution of the Seimas calls on the Government to employ all the political and diplomatic means to gain the support of the European Union, EU Member States, NATO members, Ukraine, other states in the region, and the entire international community towards the elimination of the threats posed by the Astravyets nuclear power plant.

Rimas Rudaitis, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department,

tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]