Armenian government extends nuclear plant operationApril 19, 2012 - 12:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The government of Armenia approved at its April 19 session the decision to extend the term of operation of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant’s 2nd unit. Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said the unit’s operation license expires on September 1, 2016, while its current operation needs to be prolonged for 4 years in view of a delay in new energy bloc construction. In this regard, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan mentioned that this issue is much speculated on by the media, “while the government’s functions in this area are quite transparent”. According to PM Sargsyan, the government officially addressed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for assistance in extending the term of current unit’s operation and construction of a new one. “IAEA delegation is in Armenia now, with these issues on the agenda,” Sargsyan said, adding that Armenia will receive relevant support from the international agency. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |