Report: Hungary to clarify Russia’s Paks nuke project to EU – min

MOSCOW, May 25 (PRIME) -- Moscow is sure that the Hungarian authorities will provide necessary clarifications to the European Commission regarding the construction of two more nuclear power units at the Paks plant, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview to Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet, published Wednesday.

Previously, the European Commission decided to analyze the compliance of the project of two units of Paks to the E.U. state procurement regulations. The commission noted that Hungary granted the right to construct the units to Russia without a transparent procedure.

“Of course, we are aware of an increased attention to our joint project by European institutions, in particular by the European Commission which initiated an array of proceedings. We see no reason to doubt that the Hungarian government, which repeatedly stated its firm commitment to the project, will be able to provide necessary clarifications to questions from Brussels,” Lavrov said.

The project for construction of a fifth and sixth VVER-1200 nuclear power units at Paks by Russian state nuclear power corporation Rosatom is of strategic importance. Its cost is U.S. $10 billion, it will be implemented until 2032, and the Paks plant also accounts for more than 40% of power produced in Hungary, he said.

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