Lithuanian Foreign Minister denies information re secret agreements with Belarus on Astravets NPP

12.11.2015 | Society | EuroBelarus Information Service,

Linas Linkevičius claims that Lithuania will never lower its security standards towards Belarus.

The head of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry Linas Linkevičius categorically denied Russian media false allegations about the alleged agreements between the Government of Lithuania and Belarus about conforming on that Astravets NPP project as required by the Espoo Convention (a UN Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context).

"We are used to all sorts of rumors released, but in this case I am incredibly surprised. The things claimed are completely opposite to the real situation. […] To say that Lithuania could quietly do some kind of secret arrangements is totally absurd,"- said L. Linkevičius in the interview with Lithuanian newspaper Lietuvos žinios.

In addition, according to Russian media, the Lithuanian government allegedly plans to strengthen the power lines leading towards Belarus. Through these lines Lithuania is allegedly planning to both purchase electricity from Astravets NPP as well as transit it to Sweden and Poland through the new electricity interconnections.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that Lithuania has been consistently using all the opportunities in international organizations, has required and will require in the future for Belarus to comply with the Astravets NPP safety. "We will never lower our security standards towards Belarus. For safety requirements for electrical equipment, which is being built 50 kilometers from Vilnius, is very sensitive not only to us but to the entire region," - assured the minister.

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Lithuanian Foreign Minister denies information re secret agreements with Belarus on Astravets NPP

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