The former Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority CEO doesn’t believe that Russia is using the Fennovoima project to gain political control in Finland.
"You could ask HOW Russia could use its ownership as a political tool," he says. "I, at least, haven't figured out a way that would work."
Laaksonen does cede, however, that in Russia it is not considered good practice to speak freely on anything nuclear-power related.
"Someone once said that if Russia wants to export a children's book with the word nuclear in it, they should have an export permit,” Laaksonen said.
Keeping tabs, but not so seriously
Russian nuclear power firm Rosatom monitors its employees’ public appearances overseas, says Jukka Laaksonen, Finnish Deputy Head of the company’s subsidiary, Rusatom Overseas.
"They have the kind of method that all interviews and presentations held abroad should be approved in advance,” revealed Laaksonen on Yle’s morning TV programme. Yet Laaksonen says that in practice, the policy is not taken all that seriously. He has given a lot of interviews for Rosatom in Finland.
However, the Rusatom Overseas deputy head also claims to have thus far avoided direct conflict with his employer.
"So far, it has worked out that I’ve talked about what I wanted to talk about,” he says. ”No major conflicts have arisen.”
"I’m in a position where I can go any day now, if you want me to kick off,” he says. ”I'll be fine with retirement in Finland, and I’ll do quite alright.”
Rosatom has a part share in the planned Fennovoima nuclear power plant.