Greece is concerned about Turkey’s new Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which was inaugurated last week. “For us, Akkuyu is just around the corner,” said Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias today after a meeting with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) in Vienna.
Dendias confirmed that he would also speak to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi about the reactor built by the Russian company Rosatom.
Grossi took part in the inauguration ceremony last Thursday and also referred to the support of the experts from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “The fact that Grossi was there reassures me, but I would like to hear what he says about the status of the reactor,” Dendias said in response to a question from APA.
Dendias declined to repeat an earlier warning that Akkuyu could become a second Chernobyl. His concern, however, continues to be that the reactor meets the highest safety standards.
Worried about earthquakes
In Greece it is feared that the reactor could not only be used for civilian purposes. In addition, reference is made to the safety risk of earthquakes. Akkuyu is near the epicenter of February’s devastating earthquake in south-eastern Turkey and Syria. Greece does not operate any nuclear power plants itself, partly because of the high risk of earthquakes in the country.
The “main reason” for his conversation with Grossi is the situation in the Ukrainian nuclear power plant at Zaporizhia. This nuclear power plant is a “direct threat” to the entire region, including Austria. He wanted to talk to the IAEA boss about how to help.
Schallenberg said he was in an “ongoing exchange” with Grossi, who was doing “a great job” with his organization. “We are really worried about Zaporizhia,” he added.
