MP: Armenia’s Metsamor NPP is big threat for entire Europe
By Rashid Shirinov
Armenia’s Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is the most dangerous plant for the region and entire Europe, said Ziyafat Asgarov, the first deputy speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament.
He made the remarks at a meeting of the PACE Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development in Baku on June 1.
Asgarov reminded the participants that the Metsamor NPP was built in Soviet times, stressing that an accident at the plant can pose a big threat not only for the region, but for entire Europe.
"Moreover, Armenia is located in the seismic zone, which makes the situation even more dangerous," he said, noting the importance of keeping focus on the issue.
The Metsamor NPP was built in 1976 and then closed after a devastating earthquake of 1988 in the town of Spitak. However, in 1995, despite numerous protests of international community, the Armenian government renewed the operation of the NPP.
A number of international experts have repeatedly urged that due to its deplorable state, the Armenian Metsamor NPP could repeat the fate of the Chernobyl NPP, thus threatening the lives of the Armenians and citizens of adjacent countries. The possible tragedy will also jeopardize the environmental state of the region. Moreover, its consequences will be felt in Europe and the Middle East.
It is noteworthy that while addressing the Council of Europe, Armenia undertook closure of the station, but has not fulfilled this commitment. Moreover, the European Union insisted on closing the NPP and offered 200 million Euro to Armenia. Despite this, the NPP is still functioning, as no alternative sources of energy exist in Armenia.
---
Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz