Nuclear power plant in Belarus

30.11.2016

Question for written answer E-009056-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz (PPE)

A nuclear power plant is currently under construction in Ostrowiec, Belarus, part of which is to begin operating in 2018. Belarus, like 27 of the Member States, is a party to the Espoo Convention, the first binding international document to focus solely on the issue of environmental impact assessments. It forms the legal framework for the performance of such assessments. Belarus is pressing ahead with construction work on the nuclear power plant without regard for the relevant procedures and rules, including the inspections and assessments required. It is also refusing to answer procedural questions from Lithuania, the Member State most at risk from the power plant, given that Vilnius is a mere 50 km away and that the plant’s source of cooling is to be the river Neris, which covers a large part of the Neman basin, which in turn makes up 72% of the territory of Lithuania.

In light of the foregoing:

How can the Commission respond to the infringement of international law in the field of environmental protection and guarantee environmental safety for EU citizens in countries neighbouring Belarus?