PM: Bulgarian Economy Needs Own Nuclear Power

Bulgaria is fully committed to developing its nuclear energy sector, stated PM Boyko Borisov at a foreign investment forum held in Sofia Tuesday.

In the past year or so, there has been an ongoing uncertainty how far Borisov's center-right GERB cabinet will further the project for the construction of a second NPP at Belene, contracted with Russian Atomstroyexport.

"If we give up on nuclear energy, we will have to face the fact that our neighbors such as Turkey will not have done the same and then accept a situation in which home-produced energy will be much more expensive and unfavorable for our economy," said PM Borisov Tuesday.

"We're talking about competitiveness here, and competitiveness for the Bulgarian industry means a robust nuclear power production," maintained the Bulgarian PM.

The Belene NPP negotiations with the Russian party have been protracted. Within a year an a half UK bank HSBC has to be ready with a financial assessment of the project for the Bulgarian government.

At a separate forum in Sofia Tuesday, vice-Minister of Economy Mariy Kosev also spoke of the importance of nuclear energy for Bulgaria.

He assured that his Ministry is keeping close track of all details and twists in the negotiations led by the companies, and that it will safeguard the interests of Bulgaria.

Earlier Tuesday Kosev's superior, Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy Traicho Traikov said that his country will spare no funds to ensure the safety of Belene NPP.

"For us safety is of the utmost concern and we will take into account all new criteria developed in the wake of the Fukushima disaster," assured Traikov.