B4-0729, 0731, 0732 and 0733/97

Resolution on the closure of Chernobyl nuclear power plant by 2000 and completion of Khmelnitsky 2 and Rovno 4 nuclear reactors in Ukraine

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Council Decision 94/179/EURATOM amending Decision 77/270/EURATOM to authorise the Commission to contract EURATOM borrowings in order to contribute to the financing required for improving safety and efficiency of nuclear power stations in certain non-member countries ((OJ L 84, 29.3.1994, p. 41.)),

- having regard to the memorandum of understanding signed in December 1995 between the G7 and Ukraine,

- having regard to Council Decision 94/479/EC on the conclusion of an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the EBRD on the contribution of the Community to the Nuclear Safety Account ((OJ L 200, 3.8.1994, p. 33.)),

- having regard to the Surrey and the Stone Webster reports on the economic assessment of the completion of the K2 and R4 reactors in the Ukraine of 4 February 1997,

A. whereas there is strong public concern in the European Union about the present situation of nuclear power plant and safety aspects in Ukraine,

B. whereas any loan coming from the EBRD for the completion of reactors must be in compliance with the requirements and criteria of nuclear safety, least cost and minimal environmental impact established by the Bank itself,

C. having regard to the impact which the final decision on this matter will have on the people of Ukraine in terms of the economy, supply of electricity and employment, as well on the health and safety of the Ukrainian population,

D. whereas Ukraine brought block 6 at Zapörozhe on stream last year with its own conventional safety level from the Soviet era,

E. whereas the Ukrainian Parliament had adopted a resolution calling for a second reactor at Chernobyl to be brought back on stream if the K2 and R4 reactors are not completed,

F. drawing attention to the dependence of Ukraine on oil and gas supplies from Russia and Central Asia and the need to diversify sources of supply,

1. Underlines the fact that Parliament supports the efforts to develop a comprehensive energy strategy including energy efficiency and the use of alternative sources of energy in Ukraine;

2. Calls on the EBRD to state its position as soon as possible, complying with the abovementioned agreements and criteria, set up by the Bank itself;

3. Calls on the Commission, as the European Union is an important contributor to the EBRD nuclear safety accounts, to state clearly its position and future policy in the field of nuclear safety;

4. Regrets that the European Parliament which, together with the Council, constitutes the budgetary authority in the European Union, has to date been insufficiently consulted and informed on this matter;

5. Regards the lack of consultation as being inconsistent with the current proposals from the Commission in its preliminary draft budget to increase the level of the Guarantee Fund, to continue PHARE and TACIS support and to introduce a special line on Euratom cooperation with PHARE/TACIS countries;

6. Reminds the Commission of the amendment it adopted, as part of the budgetary authority, to Article B0-230 in the 1997 budget, in which it stated that 'Parliament will not only continue to receive regular 'after the event¨ reports, but will also be consulted in advance about Community loans';

7. Insists that the decision-making bodies must adhere to the memorandum of understanding signed between the G7 and Ukraine in December 1995 and only grant funding for the completion of the two nuclear reactors if it can be proved that it is the least cost option;

8. Calls again on the Commission to state what consistent safety standard will be used throughout evaluation and construction and how the previous construction at K2 and R4 will be quality-assured;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States, the G7, the Government of Ukraine, the EBRD and the EIB.