Belarus drafting framework agreement with Rosatom to build Belarusian NPP's Unit 3 - Belarusian energy minister

MINSK. Jan 12 (Interfax) - Belarus has begun drafting a framework agreement with the Rosatom state corporation to build Unit 3 at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Ostrovets, Grodno region, Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz said on the Belarusian First information television channel on Sunday, January 11.

"In accordance with the presidential instructions, we have started working to develop nuclear energy in Belarus in the form of Unit 3 at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant. In order to start implementing this project, we need to draw up a package of documents. We are starting to draft a specific framework agreement with the Rosatom state corporation, which will specify the technical and economic conditions for the implementation of this project," Moroz said.

A working group has been set up at the level of the Belarusian Energy Ministry and Rosatom to elaborate a framework agreement, he said. "This working group has already held several meetings, and a detailed discussion is underway. The short-term objective is to draft a framework agreement, as well as to prepare and submit to the government a detailed plan that will include a program of action for all government agencies to build a nuclear facility in the country in the form of Unit 3 at the Belarusian NPP. If we talk about the objectives for 2026, our objective is to elaborate a framework agreement, prepare for the signing of the contract and conclude an intergovernmental agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the technology supplier country, the Russian Federation, to build the facility," he said.