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VIENNA, 14 September (BelTA) – For the first time ever an exposition of the Belarusian nuclear power plant project has been opened in the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna during the 59^th session of the IAEA General Conference, BelTA has learned.

According to Mikhail Mikhadyuk, Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister, head of the Belarusian delegation, the opportunity to arrange a national exposition is an important sign on the part of the IAEA administration. “The agency has developed a good opinion about the construction process as well as efforts to create the infrastructure and about Belarus’ overall approach to the nuclear energy program,” remarked the official.

According to the Deputy Energy Minister, the IAEA’s guidelines for new countries working on nuclear energy programs are a good reference point for Belarus. A detailed schedule in correlation with the document can be found on one of the stands of the Belarusian exposition.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk remarked that the Belarusian nuclear energy program is now in the third phase — the construction of a nuclear power plant. “We are now working virtually on all the installations of the two power-generating units. As far as the first unit is concerned, we are supposed to reach the plus 44 meter mark at the nuclear island. As far as the second one is concerned, we need the plus 22 meter mark. We have already started installing a condenser for the steam turbines of the first power-generating unit. We will get down to installing the nuclear reactor in the first half of the next year,” said Mikhail Mikhadyuk.

The official added that the construction and installation operations are highly localized. Belarusian specialists have carried out 83% of the work. “According to Russian colleagues and international organizations, the project proceeds well,” added the Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister.

On the whole, the Belarusian exposition offers information about how much work has been done already at the construction site near Ostrovets, information about plans for 2016, and the development of the manufacturing and social infrastructure. Although the official opening ceremony took part in the afternoon, the Belarusian stand had been opened since the morning and had attracted a lot of delegates of the General Conference. Since many countries across the globe have stated their intention to proceed with the development of the nuclear energy industry, the Belarusian experience can be very much in demand.

About 20 national expositions were opened in the IAEA HQ. Belarus’ exposition stands alongside those of Russia, the USA, France, Germany, Japan, China, India, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and other ones.

In the morning of 14 September the Belarusian delegation led by Mikhail Mikhadyuk took part in the opening of the 59^th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.