Turkish international minister on Thursday urged nuclear security measures and regional denuclearization on the first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, expressing considerations over the state of affairs at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Addressing the summit hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Belgium in Brussels, Hakan Fidan underscored the crucial want for enhanced nuclear security measures and reiterated Türkiye’s dedication to regional denuclearization efforts.
“The summit constitutes a turning point concerning the future of civil nuclear energy,” he mentioned.
Highlighting Türkiye’s bold power technique, Fidan outlined the nation’s transition in direction of clear power and its important contribution to power safety and local weather change mitigation.
“Türkiye has already been implementing a solid energy route and source diversification strategy with an ambitious clean energy transition agenda,” he mentioned.
Emphasizing Türkiye’s effort within the civil nuclear area, Fidan mentioned: “The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is our flagship project. Once fully operational, it will meet 10% of our electricity demand.”
Addressing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant state of affairs, Fidan expressed severe concern, citing Türkiye’s expertise with the Chornobyl catastrophe.
Referring to the Chornobyl catastrophe, he mentioned: “We simply cannot afford another one. Türkiye has undertaken several initiatives to avert a dreadful episode in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia city.”
Fidan pledged Ankara’s help for initiatives aimed toward averting a possible disaster at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and endorsed the IAEA director common’s efforts in addressing the problem.
Condemning “the use or threat of using nuclear weapons,” he mentioned that rhetoric surrounding “nuclear weapons casts a shadow on our common pursuit for a secure and energy-wise clean future.”
He recognized the Middle East as “the most stressful region” on this context, citing the continued battle in Gaza and Israeli officers’ feedback on nuclear weapons.
“While the carnage in Gaza goes on, Israeli officials’ narrative on nuclear weapons cannot be simply shrugged off as reckless,” he mentioned.
“Türkiye, therefore, reiterates its call for denuclearizing the region to avoid a possible nuclear arms race,” he added.
Fidan expressed gratitude to Belgium and the IAEA for organizing the summit, recognizing its pivotal position in shaping the way forward for civil nuclear power.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
