Minsk uses international organizations to soften Vilnius position on Belarusian NPP construction

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said that Lithuania was doing everything to compromise the IAEA SEED mission and its conclusions regarding the NPP in Astravets. The EU, including the Baltic States, lacks a consolidated position about the Belarusian NPP, which strengthens Minsk’s negotiating position in the dispute with Vilnius. Simultaneously, the Belarusian authorities hope to engage in an interstate dialogue with Lithuania in order to reverse public opinion in Lithuania about the NPP in Astravets. Minsk is willing to develop closer cooperation with international organisations in the nuclear industry in order to demonstrate its openness. In addition, the Belarusian authorities reckon that international organisations could help blocking unfavourable decisions by the EU in respect of the Belarusian NPP.