Turkey May Still Build N-Plant on Bulgarian Border

Turkey is yet to give up on a project to construct a nuclear power plant just several kilometers away from its border with Bulgaria, a Turkish official has suggested.

"That has not been decided yet, the question is still discussed," Turkey's Deputy Energy Minister Hasan Murat Mercan has said, referring to the project.

"As you know, this is not a political decision but a rather technical one and it will be taken based on the research done by geology and seismology experts," he explained, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio.

"Needless to say, it will be the politicians who will take the final decision, but it will be made based on the information (acquired) and the research done by experts."

Bulgaria's Ministry of Environment has not received an answer from Turkey to its question whether an environmental assessment is being prepared regarding the construction of an energy plant near the country's border with Bulgaria, Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minsiter Delyan Dobrev has revealed.

Turkey recently sent an official note to Bulgaria refuting reports that it was planning to build a nuclear power plant in the town of Igneada, which is  located 5 km south of the Bulgarian-Turkish border.

On November 9, Turkey told the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry that it plans to build a thermal power plant on the spot instead.

However, it emerged earlier on Friday that Turkey has given up plans for the construction of a thermal power plant in the town.

In May 2010, Turkey reached an agreement with Russia for the construction of what will become Turkey's first nuclear power plant in Mersin's Akkuyu district. Turkey's second NPP is to be located in Sinop on the Black Sea.

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