Lithuania Hopes To Delay Nuclear Plant Closing

(RFE/RL) 9 January 2006 -- Lithuania wants to talk with the European Union about delaying the closure of its Chornobyl-style Ignalina nuclear power plant.

Economy Minister Kestutis Dauksys said today that Vilnius should make a decision on construction of a new nuclear plant as well as negotiate with the EU on extending operations at the Ignalina plant.

Lithuania stopped the first unit at Ignalina in December 2004 to honor its commitment to the European Union, which it joined in May that year.

Vilnius also pledged to close the plant completely in 2009. But in September, half of Lithuania's lawmakers signed a bill calling for Ignalina's second unit to continue operating until 2016-17.

(AFP/Reuters)