Russia does not expect differences over Syria to affect nuclear plant project in Turkey
VIENNA. Sept 17 (Interfax) - Differences between Russia and Turkey on the Syrian issue will not affect the implementation of the project to build the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey, the head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko told reporters.
"Turkey's energy minister has made a public statement that regardless of whether Russia and Turkey have differences over the Syrian issue or not, this will in no way affect the construction of the nuclear power plant in Turkey. I can make exactly the same statement," Kiriyenko said.
"These are strategic partnership projects. [The plant] will be under construction for seven years, then it will be operated for 60 to 80 years. Over this time there will yet be many various agreements and disagreements, but such strategic projects should not depend on this in any way," Kiriyenko said.
Construction of the $20 billion Akkuyu NPP is scheduled to begin in 2016. Rosatom holds a controlling stake in JSC Akkuyu NPP.
