ARMENIAN MP URGES STATE CONTROL OVER NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS

Arminfo
20 Mar 06

Yerevan, 18 March: Energy security is an integral and very important
component of the complex of Armenia’s national security, proof of
which is a statement by US Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried about the need to diversify energy
sources, Mger Shakhgeldyan, deputy chairman of the Orinats Yerkir
[Law-Governed Country] party and chairman of the parliamentary
commission on defence, national security and internal affairs, told
a news conference today.

He stressed that because of this, the Orinats Yerkir party believes
that the construction of a new nuclear power plant where the
controlling block of shares will not belong to the state cannot be
allowed. “We believe that both during the operation of the Metsamor
Nuclear Power Plant and the construction and operation of a new nuclear
power station, the controlling block of shares must belong to the
state, and the right to make decisions must remain with the state. The
state must also supervise the process of the nuclear power plant being
operated as required by Armenia’s energy security,” Shakhgeldyan said.

The construction of alternative pipelines with Iran also plays an
important role in ensuring Armenia’s energy security, Shakhgeldyan
said. At the same time, he stressed that Armenia should in parallel
deepen its relations with the USA, which proceeds from the republic’s
strategic interests, and preserve the current level of Armenian-Russian
relations.

Speaking about the increase in the price for Russian gas imported into
Armenia, Shakhgeldyan said: “Nobody has the right to put pressure on
Armenia. When establishing relations with foreign countries, Armenia
will proceed exclusively from its strategic interests.” At the same
time, he stressed that one should not draw hasty conclusions until
the price for Russian gas for Armenia is set definitively.