The Russian side has offered Armenia a project for a large-capacity nuclear power plant that could satisfy the republic's needs "for a century." Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth CIS Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia, stated this in an interview with TASS.

“The Rosatom [Russian] state corporation had offered Armenia a project for a large-capacity [nuclear power] plant, which, if it were up to the will of the Armenian leadership, would satisfy the country's energy needs for decades, and perhaps centuries. At the same time, it would provide affordable electricity tariffs for the end consumer, which, among other things, would significantly stimulate the country's industrial growth,” the Russian diplomat said.

He drew attention to the fact that Russia is a global leader in nuclear technology and can always transfer its developments and experience to Armenia in such an important sector for the country as energy. At the same time, the Russian side is ready to share its technology in digitalization. “Today, our country is one of the three countries in the world that has the most advanced solutions,” Kalugin noted. According to him, foreigners note the developed internet banking, as well as “achievements in the digitalization of state services and healthcare,” in Russia.

“And these are just a few examples that the ‘Russian proposal’ includes,” the Russian MFA official added.

Speaking about the future of bilateral relations, he added that Russia aims to implement joint and mutually enriching cooperation with Armenia.

“This is exactly the model that is enshrined in the integration unions common to our countries: the EAEU, the CIS, the CSTO. We [i.e. Russia] have always cooperated with Armenia on an equal footing, we have never imposed a cultural code and have not demanded the abandonment of identity, historically important symbols. We value and respect the connection of the Armenian diaspora with its ‘small homeland,’" Kalugin concluded.