The main secularist opposition party in Turkey decided on Thursday to appeal the law on construction of a nuclear power plant in the south of Turkey.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) will resort to the Constitutional Court, demanding annulment of some articles of the law on ratification of an agreement between Turkish and Russian governments to construct and operate a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu town of the southern province of Mersin.

CHP says a tender has to be opened for the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant in Turkey, however a tender was not opened for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

The main opposition party will also ask the court to cancel some articles of the law on foundation and duties of the Foreign Ministry, envisaging restructuring of the ministry.

The law on construction and operation of a nuclear power plant in Mersin's Akkuyu town entered into force after it had been published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday.

The Turkish parliament adopted the bill on July 15.

Turkey and the Russian Federation signed an agreement in Ankara on the construction of the nuclear power plant on May 12, 2010.

According to the agreement, the two countries will cooperate in construction and operation of nuclear power plant in Akkuyu.

Russia's Nuclear Energy State Corporation (Rosatom) and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry are the parties to the agreement.

Russia will launch necessary procedures to establish a project company within three months after the agreement was signed. The Russian authorized institutions will have at least 51 percent share in the project company.

The Russian Federation will undertake creation of a new project company to fulfil the liabilities of the agreement in case the first company fails.

The power plant will have the total capacity of 4,800 MW.

The Akkuyu nuclear power plant is expected to meet 14 percent of the energy Turkey currently generates.


AA