The first large-scale nuclear power plant component - the core catcher - has been delivered from Russia to the construction site of the Paks II plant in Hungary.

Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto have held talks and agreed on the next steps in cooperation over their nuclear energy plants.

A memorandum of understanding on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has been signed by the China Atomic Energy Authority and Hungary's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The mayor of Paks in Hungary was among those present in Russia to see the start of forging of blanks for the reactor vessel of the first unit at the Paks II nuclear power plant, which Rosatom is building. 

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev say that work on the new Paks II nuclear power plant is progressing well, with production of the melt trap completed in Russia and work on the reactor vessel set to start.

The information session for those interested in gaining contracts with the Paks II nuclear power plant construction project was attended by 350 people from 180 companies, including 150 from Hungary.

Prime Minister Robert Golob says Slovenia's long-term use of nuclear energy "requires the broadest national and political consensus" as he announces a meeting with senior figures including opposition party leaders and members of parliament from Hungary and Italy.

The operator of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary has notified the European Union of the country's intention to extend the operating lifetime of the four units to 70 years.

The Hungarian Parliament has reportedly supported an amendment to the country's nuclear energy policy that would allow alternative sources to be used for fuel for the Paks nuclear power plant, which has until now relied on Russian-supplied fuel.