EU calls on Armenia to close nuclear power plant

The head of the European Union Delegation in Armenia, Traian Hristea, said today that the EU continues to ask Armenia to stop using the Metsamor nuclear power plant as soon as possible, Trend reports referring to Mediamax.

Presenting the report, the head of the European Neighbourhood Policy on Armenia, Traian Hristea, noted that the issue on further use of the Metsamor nuclear power plant is one of the main issues on the agenda of Armenian-EU relations.

"We are still concerned about the use of the nuclear power plant. We have repeatedly appealed to the government of Armenia, asking it to develop a programme for the conservation of the nuclear plant as soon as possible," the diplomat said.

Traian Hristea also noted that after cessation of the nuclear power plant, the EU is ready to discuss alternative solutions with the Armenian government to ensure its energy security.

The Metsamor NPP was built in 1970. After the devastating earthquake in Spitak in 1988 it was closed but, in 1995, despite international protests, the activities of the station were resumed. Moreover, a second reactor was launched.

Given the large number of minor earthquakes in the past 10 years in this area, as well as the intensification of seismic processes indicated by seismological research, in the case of a major accident taking place at Metsamor, not only Armenia, but also all countries in the Southern Caucasus and the Middle East would be seriously affected.

Adapted from: Vestnik Kavkaza