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DOES RUSSIA WANT ARMENIA TO HAVE NPP?
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics25864.html
Published: 15:18:11 - 18/04/2012
IAEA head Yukiya Amano is currently in Armenia to discuss issues
relating to the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.
The issue became urgent not only for the expiry of the Armenian NPP
and security issues but also the Turkish and Azerbaijan efforts to
have the Armenian NPP closed.
Turkey and Azerbaijan with which Armenia has no diplomatic relations
insist on the closure of the Armenian NPP, referring to its location in
an active seismic area. At the same time, they are obviously pursuing
political goals.
First, the Armenian NPP meets the energy demand and ruins their
plans to blockade Armenia. Second, Armenia receives comparatively
cheap energy and has an economic benefit from the NPP. Third, the
presence of the NPP and the accessibility of nuclear technologies
increase the status and the geopolitical security of the country.
In this connection, Armenia insists that the Armenian NPP is not a
threat to the regional security. Recall, the U.S. and Russia, as well
as the IAEA directed quite many means to enhance the security of the
Armenian NPP. The latest tests prove it is safe.
During the next session of the government of Armenia, the issue on the
extension of term of exploitation of the NPP will be discussed. The
Ministry of energy has been instructed to work out a program by May
5 to extend the term. The justification for making this decision is
the following: based on energy security and independence of Armenia,
as well as considering the possible terms of construction (dates not
specified) of the new nuclear power.
The second energy bloc of the Armenian NPP received in 2011 the
license to be exploited by 10 years, however, the exploitation date
expires on September 1, 2016.
Armenia can't find investors for the construction of the new NPP. Most
likely, the point is not about the economy, but politics. Will Armenia
be able to convince the super powers that the existence of the NPP
on its territory is of strategic importance? Or the Turkish lobbyists
have already worked with these powers.
What is Russia's position on this issue? Despite the fact that Russia
promised to finance the ¼ of the total sum of the construction of the
new NPP, it is inventing political obstacles to find the resting sum.
It is comprehensible that if Armenia doesn't have an NPP, it will
have to buy more gas from Russia.
The Armenian society is also not too keen on the fact that a few
dozen kilometers from the capital, a nuclear power plant is operating.
Everyone understands the risks, understands that no one can give an
absolute guarantee, but they also understand that the without the NPP,
Armenia will have hard times both in political and economic sense.
From: Baghdasarian
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics25864.html
Published: 15:18:11 - 18/04/2012
IAEA head Yukiya Amano is currently in Armenia to discuss issues
relating to the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.
The issue became urgent not only for the expiry of the Armenian NPP
and security issues but also the Turkish and Azerbaijan efforts to
have the Armenian NPP closed.
Turkey and Azerbaijan with which Armenia has no diplomatic relations
insist on the closure of the Armenian NPP, referring to its location in
an active seismic area. At the same time, they are obviously pursuing
political goals.
First, the Armenian NPP meets the energy demand and ruins their
plans to blockade Armenia. Second, Armenia receives comparatively
cheap energy and has an economic benefit from the NPP. Third, the
presence of the NPP and the accessibility of nuclear technologies
increase the status and the geopolitical security of the country.
In this connection, Armenia insists that the Armenian NPP is not a
threat to the regional security. Recall, the U.S. and Russia, as well
as the IAEA directed quite many means to enhance the security of the
Armenian NPP. The latest tests prove it is safe.
During the next session of the government of Armenia, the issue on the
extension of term of exploitation of the NPP will be discussed. The
Ministry of energy has been instructed to work out a program by May
5 to extend the term. The justification for making this decision is
the following: based on energy security and independence of Armenia,
as well as considering the possible terms of construction (dates not
specified) of the new nuclear power.
The second energy bloc of the Armenian NPP received in 2011 the
license to be exploited by 10 years, however, the exploitation date
expires on September 1, 2016.
Armenia can't find investors for the construction of the new NPP. Most
likely, the point is not about the economy, but politics. Will Armenia
be able to convince the super powers that the existence of the NPP
on its territory is of strategic importance? Or the Turkish lobbyists
have already worked with these powers.
What is Russia's position on this issue? Despite the fact that Russia
promised to finance the ¼ of the total sum of the construction of the
new NPP, it is inventing political obstacles to find the resting sum.
It is comprehensible that if Armenia doesn't have an NPP, it will
have to buy more gas from Russia.
The Armenian society is also not too keen on the fact that a few
dozen kilometers from the capital, a nuclear power plant is operating.
Everyone understands the risks, understands that no one can give an
absolute guarantee, but they also understand that the without the NPP,
Armenia will have hard times both in political and economic sense.
From: Baghdasarian