Turkey, Russia Vow To Build New Nuclear Plant

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speak at a news conference in Moscow.

Russian and Turkish leaders have vowed to press on with plans for Russia to build Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

Speaking at a press conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Japanese nuclear crisis "will not affect our plans and schedule for the nuclear power plant."

He said that the plant Russia would help build and operate "will be an example for the rest of the world."

Medvedev said nuclear energy was safe, provided power stations were built in the right place and were designed and managed properly.

"With these conditions met, nuclear power is safe and more and more beneficial for mankind," Medvedev said.

Russia and Turkey signed a $20 billion agreement last year for the construction of a power plant in Akkuyu in the south of the country.

Fears over nuclear energy have risen due to the threatened meltdown at a nuclear plant in Japan.

compiled from agency reports