USA TO HELP ARMENIA BUILD NEW NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS:The U.S. charge d’affaires in Armenia, Joseph Pennington, said today his government hopes that Armenia will close its nuclear power plant in Metsamor as soon as possible, but he added by saying, “ We certainly understand the Armenian government’s arguments that it can not shut the pant without securing an alternative energy generating facility.” The U.S. diplomat reminded of a statement of cooperation which he and Armenian energy minister, Armen Movsisyan had signed November 21. Under the statement, the two parties will cooperate in developing the planning studies for a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Feasibility Study for a new nuclear power generation unit in Armenia, which is the core component of the sector development strategy. Pennington said today this is an initial planning study, one among numerous future studies that will be necessary to establish the basis for the government of Armenia’s decision to proceed with the construction of a new nuclear power unit. Joseph Pennington said the results of these studies will be used by the Armenian government to choose the best technical solutions and project logistics. They will also serve as a basis for negotiations with potential suppliers and international financing institutions.