EUROPEAN UNION TO CONTINUE ASSISTING ARMENIA WITH ENERGY PROGRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 01 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Union did not give up
its condition that it will invest 100 million euros for increasing
Armenia’s energy capacities before the closure of the Armenian
nuclear power plant until donors are found to make investments for
this purpose. Karen Chshmaritian, RA Minister of Trade and Economic
Development, Co-chairman of the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council,
stated this during the October 31 press conference. Responding to NT
correspondent’s question, he said that the EU is consistent in the
issue of convening a conference of donors for this aim. According
to K. Chshmaritian, the RA Ministry of Energy is also consistent
in the implementation of this plan. "I think we’ll soon hear about
it," he noted. In his words, the Ministry of Energy has developed
some programs on enhancing the country’s energy capacities before
the closure of the Armenian nuclear power plant (ANPP). He assured
that the EU will continue providing funds for increasing the safety
of the nuclear power plant. These funds are included in the ANPP’s
budget. The minister said that the EU will continue assisting Armenia
with its programs on use of alternative energy sources. In particular,
the opportunities of using the geothermal energy in the south of
Armenia are now being explored. At the October 25 meeting of the
EU-Armenia Cooperation Council in Brussels, an agreement was reached
to continue the cooperation for securiing the safety of the Armenian
nuclear power plant and using alternative energy sources in Armenia.