Yildiz touts promise of high-tech nuclear energy

While opposing Chernobyl-like nuclear power plants, environmentalists should support reactors using modern technology, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Monday. Yildiz made the comments in Ankara during a ceremony for an energy deal between Turkey's Demiroren Group, the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS), and a Swiss firm. Speaking about a trip to Ukraine last week to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster and discuss nuclear security, Yildiz said, "Greenpeace members held up signs there saying, 'No to Chernobyl.' I agree, but the right sign should have said, 'No to Chernobyl, yes to Akkuyu'." Turkey has agreed with Russia to build its first nuclear plant in the Mediterranean town of Akkuyu. "We are also against power stations that are over 40 years old and have poor security; there are 26 such plants across the world today," he said. "These first-generation plants should be closed down. But the third-generation plant like the one we will build in Akkuyu should continue. I believe that Greenpeace members would think so, too." He added, "Security measures at nuclear plants should surely be tighter, but nuclear energy production should also continue. This is Turkey's vision."