Euratom Gives Go-Ahead to Russia-Hungary Nuclear Supply Deal

The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) has given the green light to a Russian-Hungarian contract for the supply of nuclear fuel to two new units of Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant.

The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) has approved a contract for the supply of Russian nuclear fuel to two new units of Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant, according to Hungary's Cabinet Chief János Lázár.

"Thanks to the constructive talks, the European Commission has signed a Russian-Hungarian contract on fuel, ending the discussion on the issue," Lázár said.

He touted the Commission’s move as a "significant step toward the implementation of the Paks NPP's enlargement." According to him, the construction of the two new blocks may begin in 2018.

He said that it was a "great success" for the government to convince the European Commission that the Hungary-Russia agreement is "aimed at increasing Europe’s energy security rather than at increasing Hungary’s dependence on Russia".

Last month, it was reported that the European Commission allegedly blocked the Paks project, which is worth about 12 billion euros; the Hungarian government denied the information.

Russia and Hungary signed a general framework agreement to build two new units of the Paks NPP late last year. Paks remains Hungary’s only nuclear power plant, equipped with four VVER-440 reactors. The plant's first unit was put into operation in 1982.