Minsk is attempting to form positive attitude towards Belarusian NPP outside Belarus

Belarus has invited Lithuanian experts to visit the country for consultations on nuclear safety and environmental protection. The Belarusian authorities attach great importance to the formation of a positive attitude outside Belarus to the NPP construction in Belarus. Before Lithuanian specialists had arrived, Minsk hosted the IAEA delegation led by Director General Yukiya Amano, who met with senior officials, including President Lukashenka. Internally, there is no great opposition to the NPP construction in Belarus, which could encourage the Belarusian authorities to suspend the project. In addition, the president has declared an increase in the share of electricity in the energy balance of the country as a response to the threat from Lithuania to block energy export to the European market from Belarus after the NPP launch. The Belarusian authorities hope to soften Vilnius’ position on the nuclear power plant in Ostrovets by forming a positive attitude outside Belarus regarding nuclear energy in Belarus.