Russia and Armenia to Share Nuclear Safety Information

YEREVAN — Russia and Armenia have signed an intergovernmental agreement on the exchange of information related to nuclear and radiation safety. The agreement was signed yesterday in Yerevan by Sergey Kirienko, director general of Rosatom, and Yervand Zakharyan, Armenia’s energy minister.

The document, which will enable implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations, determines the conditions of mutual early notification of activities in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Russia and Armenia, Rosatom said. The two countries will “constantly” exchange information related to nuclear and radiation safety at their respective nuclear facilities.

Russia and Armenia are long-time partners in the field of nuclear energy. According to an early February agreement, Russia will provide Armenia with a $270 million loan and a $30 million grant to extend the service life of the Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor until 2026. The loan will be used to repair the plant, replace some of the equipment, prepare new documentation and train the personnel.

Metsamor nuclear power reactor is due to be withdrawn from service in September 2016, it currently supplies over 30% of the country’s electricity.

The Armenian government said earlier it wanted to build a new facility that is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. But the government has yet to attract funding for the project that is estimated as much as $5 billion to construct.