91997E3787

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3787/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (26 November 1997)

Subject: Installation of Canadian nuclear reactors in Turkey

Canada's Council of Ministers has authorized a $ 1.07 billion loan to fund the sale of two nuclear reactors to Turkey. This loan will come from the state fund for the promotion of exports, the Export Development Co., which is expected to cover the loan from its own resources if Turkey declares itself unable to do so itself.

The Canadian opposition has reacted by condemning the fact that this sale has circumvented the environmental controls with which the relevant government service of Canada has been entrusted; it has also been pointed out that nuclear reactors of the same type which are located in Ontario are being closed down one after the other.

Will the Commission state its official views on this matter and say whether it has been informed by the Turkish authorities of plans to construct these reactors and what action it intends to take to protect the population and the natural environment of a Member State of the European Union, namely Greece, which is clearly in very great danger owing to the planned installation of these reactors in Turkey?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1998)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's answer to his Written Question E-1078/97 ((OJ C 367, 4.12.1997. )).

Information obtained by the Commission from other sources shows that the Akkuyu site was selected by the Turkish authorities following extensive studies, focusing on seismic, geological and environmental aspects in particular, by specialised departments of several Turkish universities.

The international bidding procedure held by the Turkish authorities for the Akkuyu nuclear power station closed on 15 October. Turkey is now in the process of examining the tenders from various consortiums, including the one of which Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a member. The Turkish Energy Ministry has made known that the final decision on selection should be reached in April and that generation is due to begin in 2006.