WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2831/97 by Nuala AHERN to the Commission. Euratom loan for the Russian NPP Kalinin Unit 3
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: AHERN, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, Euratom loan, European Investment Bank, Russia, credit guarantee, financial aid, nuclear power station, nuclear safety

C 117/74

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

Bulgarian nuclear safety authorities and technical safety organisations in the licensing process and recommends
that Community support should continue to be extended to the Bulgarian nuclear regulator during the licensing
process. The opinion is given subject to a satisfactory conclusion of the assessment of the environmental impact
of the project.

As  part  of  the  Euratom  loan  procedure,  the  European  investment  bank  (EIB)  is  required  to  deliver  a
recommendation on the financial aspects of the project to be financed, for example on whether the project is
suitable for loan financing or whether the borrower is likely to be in a position to service and reimburse the
Euratom loan envisaged.

It is not expected that the proposed safety measures will directly provide extra revenue. However, the increased
efficiency  of  operation  should  have  some  financial  impact.  This  issue  is  expected  to  be  addressed  in  the
recommendation required from the EIB.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2728/94 of 31 October 1994 establishing a guarantee
fund for external actions (2), a payment to the guarantee fund is required for all loans or loan guarantees in favour
of  third  countries.  Such  payment  has  therefore  to  be  made  also  for  Bulgaria,  irrespective  of  its  status  as  an
applicant country.

(1)  OJ L 84, 29. 3.1994.
(2)  OJ L 293, 12.11.1994.

(98/C 117/94)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2831/97

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Euratom loan for the Russian NPP Kalinin Unit 3

What is the current status of the proposed Euratom loan for the Russian NPP Kalinin Unit 3? Has the application
been approved by the PHARE/TACIS Nuclear Safety Expert Group, and if so, under what criteria and with what
conditions attached? Is the proposed loan being reviewed by the European Investment Bank, and if so, under
which criteria?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 1997)

On  the  basis  of  a  request  for  a  Euratom  loan  from  the  Russian  state  electricity  concern  Rosenergoatom,  the
Commission is preparing all the studies required to enable it to make a decision on such a loan.

In  line  with  Council  Decision  94/179/Euratom  of  21  March  1994  amending  Decision  77/270/Euratom,  to
authorize the Commission to contract Euratom borrowings in order to contribute to the financing required for
improving the degree of safety and efficiency of nuclear power stations in certain non-member countries (1) and
its attached guidelines, the Phare Tacis nuclear safety expert group has already discussed the technical details of
the  project  and  submitted  in  July  1997  a  statement  to  the  Commission.  The  statement  indicates  that  the
implementation  of  the  proposed  modernisation  programme  and  of  the  measures  recommended  by  Riskaudit
would  achieve  an  internationally  acceptable  safety  level.  It  also  insists  on  the  adequate  involvement  of  the
Russian nuclear safety authorities and technical safety organisations in the licensing process and recommends
that Community support should continue to be extended to the Russian nuclear regulator during the licensing
process. The opinion is given subject to a satisfactory conclusion of the assessment of the environmental impact
of the project.

As  part  of  the  Euratom  loan  procedure,  the  European  investment  bank  (EIB)  is  required  to  deliver  a
recommendation on the financial aspects of the project to be financed, for example on whether the project is
suitable for loan financing or whether the borrower is likely to be in a position to service and reimburse the
Euratom loan envisaged.

(1)  OJ L 84, 29.3.1994.