The Czech Foreign Ministry says that the official approval of the
operation of the Temelin nuclear plant by the South Bohemian regional
authorities was in line with Czech legislation, dismissing protests
coming from neighbouring Austria. According to Austrian MPs, the Czech
Republic did not officially inform Austria of the step. Some Austrian
officials say the move was in breach of the 2001 Czech-Austrian
agreement of Melk concerning the security of the plant. The plant was
officially approved last Friday, six years after construction was
finished. The document became legally binding on Monday.
The plant, situated some 60 kilometres away from the Austrian border,
has been widely criticised by certain Austrian politicians as well as
Austrian and Czech environmentalists, who claim that it is dangerous.