Azerbaijan’s FM to address international organizations in connection with new reactor to be constructed in Armenia

"In 2002, Azerbaijan has addressed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in relation to activity of Metsamor NPP in Armenia. The international agency knows the level of danger of such reactors”, director of Radiation Problems Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Adil Garibov said.

He noted that along with Azerbaijan, other neighboring countries take the attitude toward the Metsamor NPP: "Life expectancy of Metsamor NPP reactors is 30 years. And this period ended in 2010. This reactor must be in the focus of attention of the world community without our appeal. If Armenian government cares about own people, it must pay much attention to this issue, because, any possible incident in the reactor can impact on the entire Armenia and the neighboring countries. The international organizations must react to this issue. And neighboring countries have to give attention to this issue. Turkey is situated 17km far from Metsamor NPP. Azerbaijan’s protest on this issue will not be accepted by Armenia uniquely. But Metsamor NPP is a real danger for the whole region".

Garibov said that Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry will soon address the international organizations in connection with the new reactor to be constructed in Armenia: "As a representative from Azerbaijan, I have raised this issue at the CIS Interstate commission for atomic energy use for peaceful purposes. Not only Azerbaijan, but also all trans-frontier states must protest it. Each country has a right to use nuclear energy, but in a safe variant".

According to him, new reactor to be constructed in the area of Metsamor NPP will have 1060 megawatts. Metsamor has two blocks. One of them was launched in 1970. This block has been stopped in 1988, after the earthquake in Armenia and is still closed.

The second block launched in 1980 and stopped after the same quake has been relaunched again in 1995 and is working at present. The station has 407 megawatt. But currently, it produces 360-370 megawatt of electrical power.


/APA/