Yildiz: "Nuclear power is a hallmark of developed countries"

Since Turkey now depends on foreign countries to meet its energy needs, it must start using nuclear energy, said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz yesterday. Pointing to the 442 nuclear power plants in use worldwide, he said, "There is no developed country in the world which doesn't use nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is one of the most important aspects of development. We're not neglecting even the smallest safety detail." Saying that Turkey has become an important energy bridge, he added: "Nuclear power is a source that we don't use. Getting nuclear energy resources and building a power plant isn't just a matter of generating electricity. It's also one of the most significant indicators of a country's industrialization level." Yildiz argued that the government's work on nuclear energy is a key aspect of growth and development and that this work will continue.