Turkey’s nuclear power plant threatens the entire Mediterranean
28 April 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
Yesterday – a day after the 37th anniversary of the tragic accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant – Turkey ignored international concerns about the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant and held a solemn ceremony to hand over fuel to the plant.
The delivery of nuclear fuel marks not only the official conversion of the plant into a nuclear power plant, but also Turkey’s categorisation as a nuclear power country with all that this implies. Of further concern is the presence of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, but also the sending of a message at the ceremony by the Director General of the World Nuclear Association. It is clear that despite the earlier concerns expressed, Turkey has now secured their support.
The operation of a nuclear power plant just a few kilometres off the coast of Cyprus poses enormous dangers for our island and raises security issues for the entire Mediterranean region. Particularly after the recent devastating earthquakes in the region, it is being demonstrated that these concerns are not misplaced. In the event of another similar earthquake or some accident, the damage will be incalculable, not only to the environment but especially to the health and safety of the inhabitants of the surrounding areas.
AKEL has for years been ringing the alarm in relation to the Akkuyu nuclear power station and Turkey’s plans to transform itself into a nuclear power. Together with citizens and movements from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, we will intensify an awareness campaign, both inside and outside Cyprus, about the dangers of an accident in our region, but we will continue our initiatives and mobilisations against the operation of the plant and in favour of a nuclear-free Mediterranean.
AKEL believes that the protection of the environment, public health and quality of life are incompatible with nuclear power plants and the use of nuclear energy.
