EU energy ministers gathered in Brussels Tuesday in an emergency meeting in the wake of the nuclear crisis in Japan agreed to stress-test all NPPs operating in the Union.
The proposal was first voiced by Austria, which is a no-nuclear energy country, and backed by EU Commissioner on Energy Gunther Oettinger.
What will be examined is foremost the NPPs' seisimic resistance, the reliablity of the reactor protective casings, as well as the emergency power supply of cooling systems.
Commissione Oettinger said that the criteria for the checks will be common to all and very strict. He also stated that the EU will request similar checks from its neighboring countries.
It is not yet clear how much the tests will cost or by whom and when they will be carried out.
It is expected that the issue will be on the agenda of the upcoming European Council next week (March 24-25).
Tuesday EU Commissioner Oettinger expressed strong worries about the situation in Japan, claiming that things at Fukushima NPP are getting "out of control."
He also suggested that Europe and the world at large might start thinking to what degree it would be feasible to give up nuclear energy.
Tuesday both Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and Minister of Economy and Energy Traicho Traikov reaffirmed the country's commitment to nuclear power.