1. The Commission is aware that concerns have been raised about the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Akkuyu. The Commission notes nevertheless the nuclear stress test assessment report prepared by Turkey, covering also seismic risks, which is available online[1]. This report is still to be assessed. However, it is not for the Commission to take a position on the suitability of sites for the construction of NPPs in third countries.

In view of the proximity of the proposed plant, the Commission carried out a verification mission in Cyprus in March 2015 pursuant to Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty in order to assess in particular emergency radiation monitoring arrangements. The mission's report will be publicly available in autumn 2015[2].

The Commission has also suggested Ecurie[3] membership to Turkey, but so far Turkey is still not officially part of the ECURIE system. Turkey however participates in Eurdep[4].

2 and 3. In the context of Turkey's accession process to the EU, the Commission continues to urge Turkey to develop an adequate legal, regulatory and administrative framework that ensures a high level of nuclear safety.

As a candidate country, Turkey is expected to progressively align its legislation with the Euratom acquis, including the provisions of the amended Nuclear Safety Directive[5]. This directive specifically requires that nuclear installations are designed, sited, constructed, commissioned, operated and decommissioned with the objective of preventing accidents and, should an accident occur, mitigating its consequences[6].

The Commission would also like to refer the Honourable Member to its replies to written questions P-002852/2011, P-008971/2012, E-005692/2012, E-006346/2012, E-003436/2013 and E-003525/2015[7].

• [1] http://www.ensreg.eu/node/1390
• [2] http://ec.europa.eu/energy/node/1221
• [3] EU radiological early warning system.
• [4] European online environment radiation data exchange system.
• [5] Council Directive 2014/87/Euratom of 8.7.2014 amending Directive 2009/71/Euratom establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations, OJ L 219, 25.7.2014, p. 42‐52.
• [6] Article 8a.
• [7] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/parliamentary-questions.html