Armenia invites nuclear cooperation
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 03, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Armenia invites Turkey to collaborate on construction of its new nuclear power plant. The new plant will replace the Metzamor plant. The EU and Turkey have been pushing Yerevan to close the Metzamor plant for safety concerns
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian has invited Turkey to collaborate on construction of its new nuclear power plant, the latest diplomatic effort to initiate dialogue between the two countries.
"The new power plant will contribute to regional cooperation," Sarkisian was quoted as saying by daily Milliyet. In remarks made during a conference to the Russian newspaper Nevazisimaya, the prime minister highlighted the economic and political importance of the project, noting that Russia would be definitely joining in the construction.
Metzamor plant to close
The Armenian government has recently announced a tender to identify a company to undertake construction of the new nuclear power plant, which it hopes to have completed by 2016, the deadline for closure of the Metzamor power plant. The European Union and Turkey have been pushing Yerevan to close down the Metzamor plant, which is located just a few kilometers from the Turkish border, due to safety concerns.
"The Turkish government expected Yerevan's official proposal to join the construction," reported daily Nezavisimaya, quoting an unnamed Turkish diplomatic source. "Upon receipt of the document, Turkey will consider the possibility of its participation in the project and will announce its decision. If all necessary formalities are observed, the offer can be accepted."
Armenian parliamentarian Armen Martirosyan said the participation of Turkish companies in the tender would have positive outcomes for regional cooperation. But Turkey’s inexperience in nuclear technology raised questions as well. Professor Ruben Safrastyan from the Institute of Oriental Studies said Armenia was only making a political gesture. "I do not believe that there will be an official proposal," he told daily Nevazisimaya. "In any case, I do not know what Turkey could offer technologically."
The Metzamor power plant was built in 1976 with technology no longer considered acceptable by modern safety standards. It was closed after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, but reopened in 1993 due to energy shortages in the country. The plant currently meets about 40 percent of Armenia’s energy demand. In 2007, the government approved a plan to shut down the Metzamor plant by 2016. Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan said construction of the new nuclear power plant could start as early as 2011.
"The new power plant will contribute to regional cooperation," Sarkisian was quoted as saying by daily Milliyet. In remarks made during a conference to the Russian newspaper Nevazisimaya, the prime minister highlighted the economic and political importance of the project, noting that Russia would be definitely joining in the construction.
Metzamor plant to close
The Armenian government has recently announced a tender to identify a company to undertake construction of the new nuclear power plant, which it hopes to have completed by 2016, the deadline for closure of the Metzamor power plant. The European Union and Turkey have been pushing Yerevan to close down the Metzamor plant, which is located just a few kilometers from the Turkish border, due to safety concerns.
"The Turkish government expected Yerevan's official proposal to join the construction," reported daily Nezavisimaya, quoting an unnamed Turkish diplomatic source. "Upon receipt of the document, Turkey will consider the possibility of its participation in the project and will announce its decision. If all necessary formalities are observed, the offer can be accepted."
Armenian parliamentarian Armen Martirosyan said the participation of Turkish companies in the tender would have positive outcomes for regional cooperation. But Turkey’s inexperience in nuclear technology raised questions as well. Professor Ruben Safrastyan from the Institute of Oriental Studies said Armenia was only making a political gesture. "I do not believe that there will be an official proposal," he told daily Nevazisimaya. "In any case, I do not know what Turkey could offer technologically."
The Metzamor power plant was built in 1976 with technology no longer considered acceptable by modern safety standards. It was closed after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, but reopened in 1993 due to energy shortages in the country. The plant currently meets about 40 percent of Armenia’s energy demand. In 2007, the government approved a plan to shut down the Metzamor plant by 2016. Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan said construction of the new nuclear power plant could start as early as 2011.