Wednesday, November 1 2017 12:26
Marianna Mkrtchyan

RA President: there is no matter of Metsamor NPP closing after signing framework agreement with EU

RA President:  there is no matter of Metsamor NPP closing  after  signing framework agreement with EU

ArmInfo. Discussions about  the closure of Metsamor NPP are artificially initiated, and have  nothing to do with reality. This was stated in an interview to  RIA  Novosti by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

So, the question about the agreement on Armenia's comprehensive and  expanded partnership with the European Union, which is expected to be  signed at the end of November in Brussels within the framework of the  Eastern Partnership summit, contains a clause providing for the  closure of the Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor and when that  happens, Sargsyan in particular, said: "In the draft agreement with  the EU, this paragraph was formulated by default (meaning the  objective lifetime of the Metsamor nuclear power plant.) In March  2014, the Armenian government decided to extend the term of  exploitation of the Armenians which will be financed from the Russian  state export credit for $ 270 million and a grant of $ 30 million,  and work is ongoing with the state corporation Rosatom to implement  the program for extending the lifetime of the second power unit of  the nuclear power plant. 

It is important to note that the NPP operates in full accordance with  the IAEA criteria, and this is the conclusion of international  specialized agencies. Measures are being taken to improve project and  operational safety, as well as modernization. 

So Metsamor NPP will serve until at least 2027. We believe that for  its security, primarily energy, nuclear energy will always be present  in Armenia "

The clarifying question that after the signing of this agreement with  the EU in November can not be a question of its closure, Sargsyan  said: "No, there is no such agreement in the agreement." Earlier, the  draft of the Armenia-EU framework agreement was published, which is  planned to be signed in November as part of the Eastern Partnership  Summit in Brussels. In the part of the agreement on the topic of  nuclear safety, the importance of the high-level observance of IAEA  standards is pointed out. It is also said about the closure and safe  decommissioning of the nuclear power plant in Metsamor and  cooperation on the previously adopted road map or action plan, taking  into account the need to replace nuclear power plants with new  opportunities to ensure Armenia's energy security.

Note that the requirement to close the ANPP is not new for the  Armenian side. Back in 1999, the EU insisted on the closure of the  second power unit of the ANPP by 2003. However, after the relevant  negotiations, an amendment was introduced to this requirement, which  read "until the creation of the appropriate capacity." In 2013, head  of the EU delegation to Armenia Traian Christiea stressed that the  issue of exploitation of the Armenian nuclear power plant is one of  the main issues on the agenda of Armenia-EU relations. In 2014, the  European Commission again urged Armenia to close the nuclear power  plant as soon as possible, as reflected in the European Commission's  report on Armenia in the program of the European Neighborhood Policy.  In 2015, the same Trajan Khristea reiterated that the early closure  of the Armenian nuclear power plant and its decommissioning remained  the main goal of the European Union.  Despite its demands, the EU  continued and continues to provide technical and financial assistance  to the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, aimed at improving the safety of  the second power unit. According to various estimates, this  assistance varies from 70 to 90 million euros. In addition, the EU  offered 200 million euros for the closure of the ANPP, but the  Armenian side rejected this proposal, considering these volumes  insufficient to ensure the country's energy security.

The Armenian nuclear power plant consists of two units with Soviet  (Russian) WWER reactors. The first unit was commissioned in 1976, the  second - in 1980. In March 1989, after the Spitak earthquake, which  killed 25 thousand people, the station's work was stopped. In  November 1995, in connection with the most acute energy crisis, the  second power unit of the station with a capacity of 407.5 MW was  involved. In March 2014, the Armenian government decided to extend  the life of the second power unit by 10 years - until 2026. The  project is coordinated by the subsidiary structure of the State  Corporation Rosatom - JSC Rusatom Service. Completion of work is  planned for 2019. The Government of the Russian Federation allocated  a $ 270 million state export loan to Armenia and a $ 30 million grant  for these purposes. In March 2015, the Joint Coordination Committee  (JCC) was established to implement the program. So far, there have  been five meetings of the JCC.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     


News
Pashinyan: From January 1 to present, 1,625 people received  reimbursement for social expensesPashinyan: From January 1 to present, 1,625 people received  reimbursement for social expenses
Can all expenses on education and sports in Armenia be reimbursed  within the framework of the <social credit> programCan all expenses on education and sports in Armenia be reimbursed  within the framework of the program
Profits of Armenia`s insurance sector go on decreasing Profits of Armenia`s insurance sector go on decreasing 
Armenia ready to take active part in coping with information security  challenges Armenia ready to take active part in coping with information security  challenges 
Armenia`s minister of high-tech industry, WB reps discuss expansion  of cooperationArmenia`s minister of high-tech industry, WB reps discuss expansion  of cooperation
Armenia runs out of 81% of duty-free import of electric vehicles by  persons without distribution agreements Armenia runs out of 81% of duty-free import of electric vehicles by  persons without distribution agreements 
USD transactions down, RUB ones up in Armenia`s interbank foreign  exchange market, Feb 10-14USD transactions down, RUB ones up in Armenia`s interbank foreign  exchange market, Feb 10-14
Armenian wine showcased in France - Wine Paris 2025Armenian wine showcased in France - Wine Paris 2025
In 2024, Armenia`s population increased, however, the entry-exit  balance remained negativeIn 2024, Armenia`s population increased, however, the entry-exit  balance remained negative
KardaLove 2024: AraratBank is the Main Sponsor of the Book FestivalKardaLove 2024: AraratBank is the Main Sponsor of the Book Festival
Armenia to implement subsidy program for real fruit vodka  production  Armenia to implement subsidy program for real fruit vodka  production  
RA State Revenue Committee on procedure of temporary import of  personal vehiclesRA State Revenue Committee on procedure of temporary import of  personal vehicles
326 trucks from Armenia at Upper Lars check-point 326 trucks from Armenia at Upper Lars check-point 
South Caucasus Railway sets discount price for  Yereavn-Tbilisi-Yerevan train tickets South Caucasus Railway sets discount price for  Yereavn-Tbilisi-Yerevan train tickets 
Armenia`s government discusses 2025-2029 framework partnership  programme with WBArmenia`s government discusses 2025-2029 framework partnership  programme with WB
Ameriabank absolute leader in car-purchase lending Ameriabank absolute leader in car-purchase lending 
AraratBank Receives Prestigious Partner of the Year Award from Ria Money TransferAraratBank Receives Prestigious Partner of the Year Award from Ria Money Transfer
Armenia`s Ministry of Finance harmonizing laws with premier`s  statements Armenia`s Ministry of Finance harmonizing laws with premier`s  statements 
Armenia, India considering joint research and developmentArmenia, India considering joint research and development
No calculations on energy consumption available in Armenia as basis  for energy generating facilities - expertNo calculations on energy consumption available in Armenia as basis  for energy generating facilities - expert
Armenia joins Interreg Next development programme of Black Sea basinArmenia joins Interreg Next development programme of Black Sea basin
2024 year of radical electric energy reforms 2024 year of radical electric energy reforms 
Armenia needs conditions for solar, hydro energy to be basic -  ex-official Armenia needs conditions for solar, hydro energy to be basic - ex-official
Armenia needs new 600MW nuclear unit - ex-official Armenia needs new 600MW nuclear unit - ex-official 
Central Bank Governor: We are trying to establish new systems capable  of addressing new challengesCentral Bank Governor: We are trying to establish new systems capable  of addressing new challenges
Armenia eventually will phase out the turnover tax - Prime MinisterArmenia eventually will phase out the turnover tax - Prime Minister
Viva Armenia issues its first bonds worth $80 million, with  Ameriabank  as  underwriterViva Armenia issues its first bonds worth $80 million, with  Ameriabank  as  underwriter
Expert: Closing Metsamor NPP without constructing a new one would be  disastrous for ArmeniaExpert: Closing Metsamor NPP without constructing a new one would be  disastrous for Armenia
Greater administrative liability for late submission of fnancial  reports to be in effect in Armenia Greater administrative liability for late submission of fnancial  reports to be in effect in Armenia 
Armenian NA approves amendments to Law on Budget System Armenian NA approves amendments to Law on Budget System 
Real estate prices to remain unchanged in Armenia in 2025 Real estate prices to remain unchanged in Armenia in 2025 
Armenia`s high-tech exports saw a slight increase in 2024Armenia`s high-tech exports saw a slight increase in 2024
Roman Khudoliy: We affirm our unwavering commitment to adhering and  implementing decisions made by companyRoman Khudoliy: We affirm our unwavering commitment to adhering and  implementing decisions made by company
Pashinyan attends plenary session of Artificial Intelligence Action  Summit in ParisPashinyan attends plenary session of Artificial Intelligence Action  Summit in Paris
About 900 approved applications for participation in bad loan  repayment programme in Armenia About 900 approved applications for participation in bad loan  repayment programme in Armenia 
Armenia`s ministry of economy proposes bill to rule out duty-free import of electric vehicles Armenia`s ministry of economy proposes bill to rule out duty-free import of electric vehicles 
Armenia`s savings funds used ineffectively - MPArmenia`s savings funds used ineffectively - MP
Armenia to cooperate with French companies in AI ecosystem  development Armenia to cooperate with French companies in AI ecosystem  development 
ZCMC to resume operation after 10-day strikeZCMC to resume operation after 10-day strike
4,632,795 AMD for the DigiCode-2025 Competition – February`s Beneficiary is QaylTech4,632,795 AMD for the DigiCode-2025 Competition – February`s Beneficiary is QaylTech
ZCMC management ready to change payment terms ZCMC management ready to change payment terms 
Ordinary citizens cannot afford legal services now - lawyer Ordinary citizens cannot afford legal services now - lawyer 
Armenia`s ministry of finance satisfied with auditing reforms Armenia`s ministry of finance satisfied with auditing reforms 
Greater administrative liability for late submission of financial  statements to be in effect in Armenia Greater administrative liability for late submission of financial  statements to be in effect in Armenia 
Armenia`s government to harmonize investments programmes with state  budget Armenia`s government to harmonize investments programmes with state  budget 
Armenia`s pension funds to be afforded ampler opportunities to invest  in U.S. securities - CBArmenia`s pension funds to be afforded ampler opportunities to invest  in U.S. securities - CB
Armenia`s concurrent membership in EU and EAEU impossible - RF Deputy  FM Armenia`s concurrent membership in EU and EAEU impossible - RF Deputy  FM 
Active USD transactions in Armenia`s interbank foreign exchange market  February 3-7, 2025Active USD transactions in Armenia`s interbank foreign exchange market  February 3-7, 2025
Traffic in Upper Lars returned to normalTraffic in Upper Lars returned to normal
International Business Relations Support Council head criticizes tax  hike for SMEsInternational Business Relations Support Council head criticizes tax  hike for SMEs
ZCMC started terminating employment contracts with saboteursZCMC started terminating employment contracts with saboteurs
Deputy Economy Minister: Businesses should understand that without  proper document flow it is impossible to ensure smooth business  operationsDeputy Economy Minister: Businesses should understand that without  proper document flow it is impossible to ensure smooth business  operations
Armenian jewelry dealers offer their own formula for eliminating the   Armenian jewelry dealers offer their own formula for eliminating the   "shadow"
Lusine Gevorgyan, the head of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, hopes for the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU in the next 5 years.  She stated this during a press conference on February 7.Lusine Gevorgyan, the head of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, hopes for the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU in the next 5 years.  She stated this during a press conference on February 7.
Retail jewelers  losing their competitiveness. Armenian Ministry of  Finance has a solutionRetail jewelers  losing their competitiveness. Armenian Ministry of  Finance has a solution
Tourism Committee to enhance organized tourism developmentTourism Committee to enhance organized tourism development
Representatives of Human Rights Defender met with ZCMC employeesRepresentatives of Human Rights Defender met with ZCMC employees
Birth rate in Armenia decreased by 8% in 2024Birth rate in Armenia decreased by 8% in 2024
By 2025, Armenia`s population exceeded 3 million peopleBy 2025, Armenia`s population exceeded 3 million people
Armenia`s trade sector generated $16.2 billion in revenue in 2024.Armenia`s trade sector generated $16.2 billion in revenue in 2024.
Read more
Exchange rates
17.02.2025
RUB4.34-0.02
USD396.39-0.12
EUR415.730.78
GBP499.530.88
CAD279.32-0.23
JPY26.150.16
CNY54.580.01
CHF440.090.45