Ankara, November 1, 2024 – The Europe Today: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed optimism over Russia’s potential involvement in constructing the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant on Türkiye’s Black Sea coast, noting it could yield substantial benefits for both nations. Lavrov made the remarks during an interview with Turkish daily Hurriyet on Friday.
“If we can agree on the terms for Russia’s participation, it would be a win-win,” Lavrov stated, referencing the ongoing construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant as a successful model for collaboration. He noted, however, that Türkiye’s final decision will be crucial to advance the project.
Lavrov also addressed sanctions-related challenges, emphasizing Russia’s economic resilience, with growth projected at 3.9% for 2024 and unemployment at a historic low of 2.4%. He criticized efforts by the US to impede joint projects between Moscow and Ankara, while stressing that future cooperation on projects like Sinop hinges on finding mutually acceptable solutions.
The Akkuyu plant, Türkiye’s first nuclear power facility, is being built by Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation. According to Turkish Minister of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar, Akkuyu’s first reactor is expected to launch in 2025, with all four reactors operational by 2028. Once complete, the plant is anticipated to supply approximately 10% of Türkiye’s electricity needs.
