Sep 21 - United Press International

The European Union will grant $64 million to Bulgaria to help it close two reactors of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

The European Commission approved an agreement to finance dismantling the two units of the country's only operating nuclear plant, in northwestern Bulgaria, the SNA Sofia news agency reported.

In 2002, Bulgaria agreed to mothball two of the six Soviet-type reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear plant and to close another two reactors at the end of 2006, to show it is willing to meet necessary standards on its way to join the European Union on Jan. 1.

The Kozloduy's remaining two reactors are of more modern design and will remain in operation, SNA said.