Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced plans to revise longstanding legislation prohibiting the construction of nuclear power plants in Serbia. Speaking at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) summit in Brussels, Vucic expressed Serbia’s willingness to engage in future nuclear energy projects despite limited domestic capabilities.
Highlighting challenges including a lack of expertise and financial resources, Vucic emphasized the need for a shift in public perception to facilitate legislative changes. Since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, nuclear power plant construction has been banned in Serbia, continuing after the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
At the summit, leaders endorsed a Declaration on Nuclear Energy, committing to maximize the potential of nuclear energy while ensuring safety and security standards. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic emphasized investments in nuclear security and the extension of existing plants, while expressing interest in small modular reactors.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant’s contribution to meeting electricity demands and outlined plans for further expansion. Representatives from Romania and Bulgaria also participated in discussions on nuclear energy.
Vucic’s advocacy for nuclear energy is not new, with previous statements expressing support for Serbia’s involvement in nuclear projects. Despite challenges and past moratoriums, Serbia aims to explore opportunities for collaboration, including potential partnerships with neighboring countries like Hungary.
