WRITTEN QUESTION P-1423/99

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Relations between EU and Turkey and nuclear safety

The Turkish Government's decision to have a nuclear plant built in the earthquake-prone region of Akkuyu by an international consortium using CANDU reactors which recent reports claim have safety problems and do not meet international safety standards is a lethal threat to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Black Sea region and the Middle East.

1. What information does the Commission have about the plant and what stage has been reached with the plans to build it?

2. Will the Commission raise the matter of the construction of the plant with the relevant Community bodies and in the context of EU-Turkey relations with a view to the cancellation of the project?

3. In the light of the position adopted by the European Council in Luxembourg concerning the eligibility of Turkey for accession to the EU and of the requirement to comply with the Copenhagen Council's criteria, which include the adoption of Community legislation on nuclear safety and environmental protection by countries seeking membership of the Union, can the Union accept the installation of such a nuclear plant which may endanger public health in Greece and the wider region?

4. Is it possible to adopt the Commission's proposal for a regulation on the intensification of the customs Union between the EU and Turkey which provides for the approximation of legislation with a view to the adoption of the acquis communautaire and the development of plans to promote environmental protection with a budget of over 135 million when the Turkish Government's decision to build such a nuclear plant is contrary to the objectives pursued by that proposal for a regulation?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 1999)

The information available to the Commission indicates that the Turkish authorities have not yet awarded the construction contract for the nuclear power station at Akkuyu, nor does it give a date when they are likely to take such a decision. In the circumstances, it is too soon to say whether a particular type of reactor will be chosen. Only one of the three tenders submitted to the Turkish authorities specifies the CANDU reactor referred to by the Honourable Member. The authorities feel that the successful candidates should have an proven reputation for designing and building at least two fully operational nuclear power stations, at least one of which must be a relevant reference point for the Akkuyu project. Although the Commission is following this dossier closely, it does not have any authority in the decision-making process regarding the construction work or the site. The Turkish authorities, especially the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEA) are solely responsible.

As far as security and respect for the environment are concerned, the authorities have already stated that the Akkuyu site was chosen after detailed seismic, geological and environmental studies. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that the assumptions underlying the proposed plans allow for a stronger earthquake than any ever recorded in the region, with the epicentre at the power station itself, rather than on the nearest fault line 20 kilometres away. According to the IAEA, the terrible earthquake in August in the north-west (though far away from Akkuyu) would not have changed the results.

Until now co-operation on energy issues between the Community and Turkey has remained fairly limited due mainly to the lack of appropriate financial aid for Turkey. Nevertheless, the European Strategy for Turkey, which the Commission adopted in March 1998(1) at the request of the Luxembourg European Council with the aim of preparing Turkey for membership of the EU provides for intensification of such co-operation. Nuclear energy issues including those involving security and the environment could be discussed within this framework.

The Commission made two proposals in October 1998(2) for financial support for the European Strategy. Their adoption by the budgetary authority should finally give some substance to co-operation on energy issues.

(1) COM(98) 124 final.

(2) OJ C 408, 29.12.1998.