Czech Parliament Rejects Proposal to Lift Ban on Equipment Supply for Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

The Parliament of the Czech Republic on Friday rejected the government's proposal to lift a law that prohibits the supply of equipment for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This proposal was related to the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers to lift nuclear sanctions in exchange for limiting Iran's nuclear activities. The law banning the supply of equipment for the Bushehr nuclear power plant was enacted in 2000 during the presidency of Václav Havel and was approved by the Czech Parliament and signed by Havel. This law was passed in response to a decision by a Czech company to send ventilation equipment for use at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. At that time, the agreement to supply this equipment faced criticism from the United States and Britain, which had increasing suspicions about Iran's efforts to advance its military nuclear program under the guise of developing the Bushehr power plant. Although the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers anticipated the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, the Czech Radio reported that the majority of parliament members expressed concerns about Tehran's nuclear program and opposed lifting the bans against Iran. Opponents of lifting the bans also expressed concerns that this action could harm the Czech Republic's good relations with Israel. According to information on the Czech Parliament's website, while 66 out of 130 members present at Friday's session were needed to approve the proposal to lift the bans on Iran, only 47 members voted in favor of it. The most opposition came from representatives of the two conservative parties, TOP 09 and ODS, while representatives of the Social Democratic and Communist parties of the Czech Republic were the main supporters of the proposal. Iran has only one operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr, although it has been pursuing plans to construct several other nuclear power plants for several years. The Czech Republic and Iran have upgraded their relations to the ambassadorial level after years of cold relations, and last year both Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, and Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization, held meetings in Prague to discuss nuclear cooperation. Iran, which has always denied pursuing a non-peaceful nuclear program, is actively seeking cooperation from European countries to develop its nuclear program. In this context, a 'Joint Nuclear Safety Project' between Iran and Europe has begun.