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Ignalina Decommissioning Support Fund in operation
EBRD signs a Framework Agreement with Lithuania
The first meeting of the Assembly of Contributors to the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund took place today at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), paving the way for the closure of the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Lithuania.
The meeting, chaired by Matthias Ruete, Director of Enlargement, Directorate-General of the European Commission (EC), and elected Chairman of the Assembly, was attended by representatives of donor Fund member countries and the Commission.
"Today's meeting is a clear sign that the implementation of the decommissioning programme has started and the EU and the other donors are closely assisting Lithuania in this task. I am particularly pleased that to date 11 countries -- Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom -- have joined the European Community in contributing to the Fund and several more have indicated their intention to do so in the near future," said Mr Ruete.
At the International Pledging Conference in Vilnius on 20 June 2000 more than €207 million was pledged for Ignalina decommissioning support, with €165 million funded directly from the EU's budget.
Following approval by the Assembly, Joachim Jahnke, a Vice President at the EBRD, and Minister Eugenjus Gentvilas, representing the Government of Lithuania, signed a Framework Agreement between the Republic of Lithuania and the EBRD, which will act as administrator of the Fund.
"We welcome the involvement of the international community in the decommissioning process of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. The financing provided by the new Fund will ensure the safe closure and decommissioning of Ignalina. The National Energy Strategy remains for Lithuania the guiding document in this process," said Mr Vaitkus, Deputy Minister, who represented Lithuania in the Assembly meeting.
"I am extremely happy that the Bank's role in administrating the Nuclear Safety Account in Lithuania and other transition countries is now complemented by Funds specialising in the closure of Soviet-designed RBMK nuclear plants," said Mr Jahnke. "Similar funds will shortly start operating in Bulgaria and the Slovak Republic, thanks to the contributions of the EU and other donors."
Also today, Victor Shevaldin, Director General of Ignalina NPP, and Vince Novak, Director of the Nuclear Safety Unit at the EBRD, signed the first Grant Agreement. This will finance project management and engineering services at the nuclear plant, and will also support Ignalina in all the licensing aspects of the decommissioning and closure process.
"We look forward to the rapid implementation of this decommissioning work," said Mr Shevaldin. "This financing will help in the preparation of the decommissioning plan, including the environmental impact assessment and technical specifications for the new decommissioning facilities to ensure safe management and storage of radioactive waste."
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