21.03.2024
Nuclear energy has an important role to play in guaranteeing national, regional and global energy security. Nuclear energy is a key element for the achievement of the goals of the European Union (EU) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to make progress to a climate-neutral economy – priorities that are likewise leading for Bulgaria in the energy policy. This was stated by Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov who attended the first ever Nuclear Energy Summit that takes place in Brussels and is hosted jointly by the Belgian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Summit aims at sending a strong message to the international community about the importance of nuclear energy and nuclear technology as an instrument to combat climate change and to achieve climate neutrality goals.
In his speech, Acad. Nikolai Denkov recalled that Bulgaria has a 50-year long proven record of experience in the safe and secure operation of nuclear power plants in addition to unique experience in the decommissioning of nuclear power plant units. “We will continue to count on nuclear energy as a major factor in our energy mix subject to high technology, operating efficiency, prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, competitive prices and a high standard of nuclear safety, security and radiation protection,” the Prime Minister said. Nikolai Denkov laid an emphasis on investment in a new generation of technologies and on diversification as a cornerstone of our national strategy. Bulgaria’s Prime Minister also pointed out the essential importance of international cooperation, of which today’s Summit is a part, and the leading role of the IAEA.
In his statement, Acad. Nikolai Denkov specifically focused on the issue of safety and security of nuclear facilities – a major factor for the development of nuclear energy. He described Russia’s war against Ukraine as the most serious threat to safety and security. The Prime Minister pointed out that Russia’s illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant led to unprecedented violations of nuclear safety and security rules and that these violations threaten Ukraine and the European region at large. “We commend the professional and unique performance of the IAEA experts to prevent a nuclear accident in Ukraine. We call on Russia to reinstate full control to the Ukrainian authorities and immediately pull out its troops from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov said further in his speech.
