Minister: Bulgaria Committed to Stringent Nuclear Safety

A ministerial forum on nuclear safety was held Tuesday in the French capital Paris. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria has offered to share its long experience in guaranteeing nuclear safety, according to Minister of Energy and Economy Traicho Traikov who spoke within a forum in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

"Bulgaria has more than 40 years of experience in exploiting nuclear facilities. What is more, its Kozloduy NPP has undergone an unprecedented number of 35 checks for the last 20 years," said Traikov.

"Our country is a reliable partner in the field of nuclear safety and supports the adoption of EU-level legislation introducing new stringent safety standards," stated the Bulgarian Energy Minister Tuesday.

The international forum adopted a decision to concentrate further work in three areas, including enhancing international mechanisms enforcing nuclear safety, boosting international cooperations, and introducing stress-tests of existing NPPs.

The conference, held at ministerial level among 33 countries, is conducted in Paris under the auspices of the French presidency of G8 and G20, together with the OECD.

Further discussions are to be held at a ministerial meeting on nuclear safety in Vienna, June 20-24, when new criteria for safety of newly-built NPPs will be introduced.

Bulgaria has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to nuclear power, including constructing a second NPP (the Belene NPP).

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