2 April, Borisov /Vitaly Petrovich - BELTA/. Belarus can count on the IAEA at all stages of the construction of its nuclear power plant. This was stated today during a visit to the Retraining and Professional Development Institute of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus by IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, BELTA correspondent reports. "Belarus has been a significant partner of the IAEA for many years, and we are cooperating particularly closely now on the construction of a nuclear power plant in your country," noted Yukiya Amano. According to him, each country decides for itself whether to build a nuclear power plant on its territory or not. The IAEA, in turn, only guarantees to provide any support that may be needed in this matter. In particular, Yukiya Amano said that in June this year, an IAEA mission will arrive in Belarus to assess the readiness of the infrastructure for the operation of a nuclear power plant. "The tragedy at Fukushima has undermined confidence in nuclear energy," stated Yukiya Amano. "Nevertheless, the IAEA believes that dialogue and openness are the best way to use nuclear energy as safely as possible." IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano arrived in Minsk on April 2nd for an official two-day working visit at the invitation of the Belarusian government. He visited the Retraining and Professional Development Institute of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus near Borisov. In addition, during his visit, he is scheduled to visit the "Zdanovichi" Children's Rehabilitation and Health Resort Center. Also, on April 3rd, Yukiya Amano will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Sergey Martynov. -0-

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