Estonia seeks nuclear power to avoid energy dependence on Russia

TALLINN, September 8 (RIA Novosti) - The speaker of Estonia's parliament urged lawmakers on Monday to back calls in the country for a nuclear power plant to be built, to reduce energy dependence on Russia.

Ene Ergma said during an open parliamentary session that "in a situation where Russia is using its energy supplies as a political weapon, it would be right to consider all possibilities, including the construction of a nuclear power plant in Estonia."

"I would like to ask you - do you think that the Finns, French and Swedes are behaving less wisely than the Estonians in using atomic energy?"

She stressed that 100% of the country's gas supplies are provided by Russia, and called on lawmakers consider alternatives to Russian gas, saying energy ties could be developed with Norway.

Ergma said: "the war on energy fronts is already underway."