The RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has responded to the unnecessary alarm over the Armenian nuclear-power station created by Turkish MPs.

The Turkish parliamentarians expressed their “concern” over the Metsamor nuclear power plant (NPP), which is located 20 km of Iğdır, Turkey, in a seismic zone. According to them, the NPP constitutes a threat to Turkey’s eastern regions. They also pointed out that, according to the security standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Armenian NPP ranks 145th of the 146.

The claims are not confirmed by any of the IAEA documents. According to the IAEA, 438 nuclear power reactors are currently in operation worldwide. The nuclear security issues are the focus of attention of the RA Presidential Nuclear Security Council, which is formed of the best specialists. The IAEA is coordinating the measures to enhance the safety of the Armenian NPP. In conformity with the Convention on Nuclear Safety, Armenia presents a national report on nuclear safety to the IAEA every three years. The report is available to all the IAEA member-states.

As regards seismic safety, in 2009 international experts examined the platform of the Armenian NPP. The examination showed no reasons for concern.

Moreover, the Armenian population within a 50-km radius of the NPP reaches 2,145,000 against 126,000 in Turkey.

T.P.