DISINFO: Borrell plans to influence the Kazakhstan’s decision to choose Rosatom
SUMMARY
The mini-tour of Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to Central Asian countries includes negotiations on a number of important and significant topics for the EU.
If something wrong, they come to Kazakhstan and start discussions with its government. The EU's top diplomat will definitely address the issues related to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. The reason is that European companies want to secure this contract, and they hope that Kazakhstan will refuse to work with Rosatom.
It has almost reached a scandal, as the Kazakh government is apparently choosing Rosatom as the contractor for the construction of the nuclear power plant, which the Americans and Europeans strongly oppose.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing Western countries of destabilising and interfering in countries around Russia, initiating protests and promoting the idea of 'lost sovereignty'. The speculative claim is baseless.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell visited Kazakhstan on August 1, 2024 to discuss the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU:
'As my mandate representing European Union will end in three months, it was important for me to come here to Astana to reaffirm our strong interest and commitment to strengthen [our - EU] cooperation with Central Asia as a whole, and with Kazakhstan, the biggest country in the region in particular.'
The debates surrounding the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan are rooted in the country's past in the Soviet union, which is marked by the severe consequences of nuclear testing. These tests were conducted during Soviet times at several test sites, including the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Sary-Shagan, and others.
According to Demoscope public opinion monitoring bureau, public perception of the construction of a nuclear power plant is generally negative. 40% of Kazakhstanis are in favour of building the plant, while a total of 55% are against. Kazakhstanis disapprove of the construction of the NPP primarily due to environmental and corruption risks.
Taking into account the concerns of the population and experts, as well as considering the tragic legacy of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, the President of Kazakhstan has announced that the decision on the construction of the NPP will be put to a referendum.
See a similar case that Western elites don’t want Rosatom to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, that the US is pushing Lithuania against a Belarusian NPP; that US investments in Armenia preconditions the closing of the Russian-built nuclear power plant ; that the West behind information attacks on RosAtom; that the West wants to deprive Kazakhstan of peaceful nuclear energy.