Open news feed Close news feed
A A

A NEW NUCLEAR POWER STATION WILL HARDLY BE BUILT

Economy

The USA Government is not that concerned with the construction of a new nuclear power station in Armenia. The American officials informed the Armenian journalists about their country’s position after the session of the Armenian - American working group on economic cooperation. They claimed that there are not delighted by the prospect of a new Armenian nuclear power station.

Tom Adams, the coordinator of the American Government on European and Asian assistance, the chief of the USA delegation and the co-chair of the Armenian - American working group noted, “At present our position is the following; there is a better alternative for the 2nd nuclear power station, we are against the construction of the new one taking into account the seismic instability of Armenia and the earthquake which occurred not long ago.”

The American Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Evans expressed his concern on this score, “We realize that Armenia needs urgent diversification.” Then referring to the Iranian issue, he ensured that the USA will punish the countries which will make extra investments in Iranian nuclear programs.

RA Minister of Finances and Economy Vardan Khachatryan who was the Armenian head of the working group, urged that all matters were really discussed with the USA “freely, openly and compassionately.” He made announcements contradicting his American partners. The deputy Minister of Energy was also present at the session. He assured the American side that the new nuclear power station must be exploited on the day of closing the 2nd bloc. The Minister claimed that a new bloc of 1000 MWt will be built instead of the current bloc of 440 MWt.”

It was the 12th session of the Armenian - American working group. The group was set up 6 years ago and convenes two sessions annually in Yerevan and in Washington. Two other sessions are likely to be convened in Armenia as a result of which the budget expenditure will curtail; this was Vardan Khachatrian’s prediction.