The Bulgarian Parliament has approved government plans to keep the controversial Kozloduy nuclear power plant running, despite pressure from the European Union.

The EU wants the Soviet-designed plant closed for safety reasons.

Bulgaria has rejected the calls, saying it is doing enough to upgrade the four reactors at Kozloduy.

The government in Sofia has also said it would cost too much to replace the plant, which produces forty percent of the country's electricity.

According to the latest plan, the reactors will be closed at the end of their natural lifespans between 2004 and 2010.