Answer by GROUP OF INDEPENDENTS FOR A EUROPEAN OF NATIONS

*
Q: Do you support rapid closure of "high-risk" reactors in line with the conditions put forward in the national and international agreements?

A: Yes.

Q:Do you believe that EU funding sources such as Euratom and the EU Fusion budget should be redirected towards closing "high-risk" reactors, and subsequent decommissioning and waste management?

A: Yes.

Q:Do you believe that the EU should insist that definite closure dates for Ignalina and Kozloduy 1-4 must be agreed with Lithuania and Bulgaria before it begins formal negotiations with them on EU membership? (please note that the decision whether to open negotiations will be taken at the European Council meeting in Helsinki in December)

A: Yes.

Q:Do you believe that the Slovakian Government must reinstate the 1994 decree that Bohunice V1 would be closed by 2000 before formal negotiations on membership of the EU begin? (please note that the decision whether to open negotiations will be taken at the European Council meeting in Helsinki in December)

A: Yes.

Q:Do you believe that there should be a specific prohibition on using EU funds to extend the life of Soviet-designed units beyond their design lifetime?

A: Yes.

Q:Do you support the Austrian proposal for reform of the Euratom Treaty (please see enclosed briefing)?

A: Yes.

* We would like to point out, that we find it very important to close down high-risk reactor, but we don't think their closure is a prerequisite for the central and east European countries membership of the European union.
** As chairman of GROUP OF INDEPENDENTS FOR A EUROPEAN OF NATIONS Mr. Bond was ask to make a response on behalf of the group however our group doesn't have a common position on this issue. These are his private standpoint.