Brussels, 05/04/2008 (Agence Europe) -The Czech Minister for Industry and Trade, Martin Riman, announced last week that he would "personally” defend plans to create an underground central storage facility for nuclear waste from production in Europe, at the second European Nuclear Energy Forum to be held in Prague on 22 and 23 May. According to a spokesperson to the Czech Ministry Industry, quoted by the specialist publication Heren Energy, the concept of a European nuclear waste storage facility has been under examination since the early 1990s, with eight sites under consideration for possible development. Over the next few years, two sites will be brought to consultation. The plan chosen will not, however, be operational before 2065. (E.H.)