downs could drive up energy prices, Reuters said. Members of the ruling party have also argued the reactors can be safely used until 2015 and closing them will hurt Bulgaria's position as the region's leading power exporter. Brussels, which has already pledged to extend 550 million euros to decommission the reactors, has taken a firm stance on nuclear closures in new members, forcing Slovakia and Lithuania to mothball Soviet-era units ahead of their accession last year. But the government said it had already agreed with the Commission, in principle, that the extra funds could be extended to help pay for the shut-downs after the first chunk is exhausted at the end of 2009. --More 2208 Local Time 1908 GMT
