"Lithuania believes Belarus' actions are in violation of this convention. Minsk has so far not provided answers to the questions raised, has not held public hearings and bilateral consultations. Meanwhile the project is underway," the ministry said in a statement.
Lithuania lodged the complaint to the Committee last June.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belarus started preparatory work for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Astraviec, 50 kilometers from Vilnius, in January 2009, but invited Lithuania to take part in the environmental impact assessment process only in August 2009.
The Espoo Convention provides that real construction of an object that is likely to have transboundary impact can start only after all environmental impact assessment procedures have been completed, questions by all affected countries have been answered and public hearings have been held.
Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that it is not only Lithuania but also the European Commission that objects to Minsk's actions, and the Commission has informed Minsk in writing that the environmental impact assessment process in accordance with the Espoo Convention has not been finished as it still has questions Belarus should provide answers to.
