Germany asks for ‘stress tests’ on European reactors

Brussels: The Fukushima nuclear disaster is beginning to cast a long shadow with German chancellor, Angela Merkel, asking the European Union to conduct ''stress tests'' on all the reactors of its member countries. Nuclear power has always been a contentious issue in German domestic politics, and also at a wider level in European politics, and the chancellor is now seeking to stabilise the issue with her suggestion.

Europe, with 143 reactors, operates a larger number than the United States of America, with 100. Though the European Union derives approximately 30 per cent of its power from nuclear energy, it is racked by deep divisions over issues related to nuclear safety and radioactive waste.

Chancellor Merkel will meet other European Union heads of state and government on Thursday and discuss issues related to safety of the reactors on European soil.

According to Luis Echávarri, director general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Nuclear Energy Agency, opting for the tests would allow European leaders to take a ''fundamental'' step to ensure the future of nuclear power in Europe.

In an interview Wednesday Echavarri said, ''We cannot accept any plant in Europe that has not gone through this assessment.''

So far, governments have said the tests should be voluntary.