The Lithuanian government endorsed Wednesday a program to close the first of two reactors at its Chernobyl-design nuclear power plant in 2005, a key condition of its integration into the European Union.
The program includes preparations for the shutdown of the Ignalina nuclear power plant's first reactor, and the dismantling and storage of its radioactive elements, the Baltic News Service reported.
It also includes a plan for mitigating the social and economic effects of the plant's closure on Lithuania, especially on the reactor's personnel and residents in the surrounding area.
The facility's two reactors currently produce around 70 percent of Lithuania's electricity, but the Baltic country has sufficient generating capacity from conventional power stations.
Early estimates put the cost of shutting down Ignalina's first reactor at 250 million Euros (233 million dollars). Lithuania has already received commitments for funding at that level from international donors.
The European Union pressured the Lithuanian government into committing itself to close the first of Ignalina's Chernobyl-type RBMK reactors in 2005 before opening membership talks in 2000.
Lithuania is due to take a decision on the second reactor in 2004 -- VILNIUS (AFP)
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