No indication of Russia wanting to withdraw from Paks project
Change language:
Budapest, January 21 (MTI) – There is no indication that the Russian partner in the upgrade of Hungary Paks nuclear power plant intends to withdraw from financing the project in south-central Hungary, the government commissioner in charge said on Thursday.
Attila Aszodi told the press that daily contact is maintained with the Russian partner and preparations were progressing in lock step. There is no indication the Russians will not want to carry out their end of the bargain or would be unable to finance it, he added.
In response to a question about the European Commission’s recommendation that no payments should be made while an investigation of the project’s financing is under way, he said Hungary was acting fully in line with European laws and fulfilling the EC’s request. No payments have been made to Russia so far despite all the work that the Russian side has put into preparations, he added.
Aszodi insisted that no state support was involved in the project and neither is there a need for it because the investment is expected to yield a return under market conditions.
He noted that the EC official gazette published on Jan. 12 a summary of the commission’s position about an investigation into possible state financing in the Paks II project. This marked the start of a month-long consultation period.