Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the conference “World Atomic Week” in Moscow. The event was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Myanmar Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Eslami, and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan, in particular, noted:
“Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,
Dear Heads of Delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, let me thank you for the invitation to participate in this important international event, the “World Atomic Week” forum. We are also grateful for the warm welcome and the high-level organization of this event. I would like to congratulate the Russian side on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Russian nuclear industry.
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This is a major milestone in scientific and technical development, the result of the work of brilliant minds in the field of nuclear energy. It is also a pleasant coincidence that the forum is being held in the year of the 80th anniversary of the outstanding specialist in the field of energy and former chief engineer of the Armenian NPP Eduard Saakov, who left an indelible mark on the history of the Armenian NPP.
Nuclear energy plays an important role in ensuring a stable and clean energy supply. It contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions and the goals of low-carbon development. The widespread use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence leads to a significant increase in electricity consumption. This, in turn, increases the importance of nuclear energy as a source of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy. In the future, nuclear energy will become an important element of a sustainable energy balance.
At the same time, it is necessary to make every effort to ensure nuclear safety and security. Armenia takes its international obligations seriously and reaffirms its commitment to the standards and principles of the international non-proliferation regime.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Taking into account these considerations, the Government of Armenia has adopted a policy of maintaining the nuclear power plant as a key component of the country’s electricity balance. Today, about 30% of electricity in Armenia is generated by the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.
The safe operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is a strategic priority for the Government of the Republic of Armenia and plays a central role in ensuring our energy security, meeting our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and supporting national economic growth.
At the same time, the strategic importance of nuclear energy places a special responsibility on us to present and future generations. We are making every effort to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained during the operation of the Armenian NPP. We regularly conduct inspection and expert assessment missions, the reports of which clearly demonstrate that Armenia operates the NPP in accordance with IAEA safety standards, as evidenced by the absence of any incidents related to nuclear or radiation safety.
It is this principle that has been applied during the large-scale modernization of the NPP in recent years, thanks to which we have managed to extend its operational life until 2026. Based on this experience, Armenia, like many other countries, has decided to extend the operating life of its nuclear power plant from 2026 to 2036. The project to modernize and extend the operating life of the Armenian nuclear power plant is not just a technical issue, but the result of an effective and reliable partnership between the Republic of Armenia, the Rosatom State Corporation, and other international partners.
This extension will create a solid foundation for a smooth transition to the operation of a new power unit after the end of the Armenian NPP operation, which is our ultimate goal. In this context, Armenia intends to continue to develop close cooperation with the IAEA and other partner countries to find the optimal solution for replacing the operating power unit, taking into account economic efficiency, safety, as well as the specifics and nature of the country’s energy system. The new power facilities being commissioned will become an important factor in regional development.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank all the involved specialists for their work and congratulate them once again on this significant anniversary. I hope that the planned work will continue actively and be successfully completed within the established deadlines.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our transparent policy in the field of safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy remains the basis for the study of advanced nuclear technologies.
No less important are non-energy applications of nuclear technologies, such as medicine, ecology, agriculture, science and education. We gratefully emphasize the support and professional assistance, knowledge and recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and partner countries, which play a vital role in the development of these areas in our country.
We hope that mutually beneficial cooperation with international partners in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy will continue to develop and strengthen. Together we can create a sustainable future for our countries, directing our efforts to the development of new technologies, improving safety and protecting the environment.
Thank you for your attention”.
The participants of the conference also toured the Atom exhibition, where the capabilities and programs of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear energy were presented.
The Office to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
