Claims of Japan Withdrawal from Sinop: No Gain Until Turkey Gives up Nuclear Power

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Japan is reportedly preparing to leave the nuclear power plant project which was planned to be constructed in Sinop.

According to the newspaper Nikkei from Japan, cost of the project has increased to 5 trillion Japanese yen (44 billion US dollars), which is two times more than the initial predictions.

The newspaper reported that the primary contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, and its partners find it hard to continue the project.

Nikkei noted that value loss of Turkish lira and the enhanced security procedures after the 2011 Fukushima disaster were the main reasons behind increasing costs.

Sinop MP for Republican People's Party (CHP) Zeki Barış Karadeniz and Sinop-based Anti-Nuclear Platform (NKP) board member Zeki Karataş evaluated the reports for bianet.

CHP MP Karadeniz: We will not permit nuclear power plant in Sinop

Karadeniz has reminded that the Black Sea city is on a fault line and said,

"When seismic research took place, it is claimed that the results were covered up. I think the Japanese firm took this into account. We will not let the nuclear plant to be constructed in Sinop.

"It is treason to Turkey to build a nuclear power plant in one of the greenest and most beautiful cities in the world."

Karataş: No gain until Turkey gives up on nuclear projects completely

Sinop Anti-Nuclear Platform (NKP) board member Zeki Karataş said an official statement from the Japanese authorities should be expected if the newspaper's report is true.

"Turkey should give up on its nuclear power policies, this is what must really happen. Unless Turkey declares that it ditches nuclear projects, we cannot talk about gains", he added.

(PT/VK)