NATO issues technical recommendations for Ukrainian NPPsMay 21, 2014 - 10:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO's civil experts have issued technical recommendations for Ukrainian nuclear power plants after visiting the country, RIA Novosti reported, citing an alliance representative. "As requested by Ukraine, NATO sent a small group of civil experts to Ukraine at the beginning of April to help Ukrainian authorities review the national emergency action plan and the nuclear infrastructure security measures," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The checks only concerned technical issues, the source said. “The experts have jotted down a range of technical recommendations after the visit. NATO does not intend to send military troop to Ukraine,” the source said when asked whether NATO soldiers would provide security for the plants. On Monday, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced he had sent the group to Ukraine. Earlier this month, Ukraine announced its decision to use American fuel for its nuclear power plants a political step to limit its resource-dependence on Russia. Some experts said the U.S.-produced fuel rods were incompatible with the country’s Soviet-era reactors, which could result in a second Chernobyl disaster. The Czech Republic earlier cancelled the construction of two nuclear reactor projects by Westinghouse due to a radiation leak. In 2012-2013, Kiev reported problems with the Westinghouse-made fuel assemblies that were installed on Soviet-made reactors at the South Ukraine power plant. Presently, Ukraine had 15 nuclear reactors generating nearly half of its electricity, according to the World Nuclear Association. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |