Adil Garibov: Armenia will never close Metsamor nuclear power plant, since it does not want to lose its image as a nuclear country

“Even if Azerbaijan gives twice as much oil to Armenia than it consumes, Yerevan will never close Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, because this plant is a strategic facility for Armenia, it means a special image. Armenia is a nuclear country, it was the first nuclear country in the South Caucasus with the help of Russia,” director of Radiation Problems Institute of Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences Adil Garibov said.

According to him, if alternative energy sources are found in Armenia, the statements that Metsamor nuclear power plant will be closed are nothing but a political game.

“Armenia will never do it. Armenia does not want to lose its image as a nuclear country. I am afraid in 10-15 years with the support of Russia Armenia will be among the countries having nuclear weapons,” he said.

Garibov said International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carried out examination concerning the observation of safety rules in Metsamor nuclear power plant. Now the nuclear power plant is not functioning, prophylactic repair is being done there.

“The countries of the region appealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying the plant is old, it was opened in the 80s of the past century. The zone is seismic, the Fukusima disaster can happen there, too. Armenia has no economic potential to use the technologies used by Japan. The neighboring states are afraid of this. We have warned the International Atomic Energy Agency about it.

More than 40 percent of the reactors in the world are in this condition. The accident in Fukusima happened in the first and third reactors built in the 70s. Our concern is grounded. No state has the right to interfere with the other sovereign state’s right to use atomic energy. But in critical situation this reactor raises doubts. The countries of the region are concerned about it,” he said.


/APA/