Huseyn Chechenov, member of Federation Council Nuclear Energy Committee

– We have everything for entering the European market

The Government of Italy is planning to start the construction of nuclear power plants, reports AFP with reference to Economic Development Minister of Italy Claudio Scajola. This marks the end of 22 years of boycott of nuclear energy in Italy. Bloomberg reports that the first project will be started within the next five years. Scajola says that NPPs will allow Italy to produce cheap electricity without polluting the environment.

The European countries that are developing nuclear energy will gain advantage over those who are still hesitating. Sooner or later, everybody who has extra euro or dollar will spend it on the development of nuclear energy. A few days ago we negotiated this problem with the United Arab Emirates and are planning to shortly discuss it with representatives of Saudi Arabia: just imagine, two countries having huge natural resources are still considering the possibility of building NPPs. This means, Europe, who has no oil and gas, has no other alternative but nuclear energy.

Russia must make best of its advantages in the sphere. Even more, the agreements for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy we are concluding with different countries prove that Russia enjoys high reputation in this sphere. Today, the Germans, yesterday, the Italians, earlier, the Greeks and I believe that in the future all Europeans will realize that they need nuclear energy. And we must do our best to preserve Russia’s leading positions on this market, especially as we have everything for entering the European market: experience, modern technologies and developing international ties.