SESSION OF THE NUCLEAR SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP CONDUCTED IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 27, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: Session of the President-affiliated
Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (NSAG) is being conducted in Yerevan
with the participation of the Armenian President and Prime Minister.

President Serzh Sargsyan welcomed the participants of the session,
presenting the changes taken place in the staff of the group. He noted
that the global financial-economic crisis has left a negative impact
on almost all the countries of the world, including Armenia. The
head of the country said that the consequences of the crisis brought
to reduction of the electricity production volume and blue gas
consumption. "But already this year stability and tendency of economic
growth is being registered as a result of which the permanent growth of
electricity and gas consumption will be restored," Serzh Sargsyan said.

The president reminded about the gas tariff growth in Armenia from
April 1, 2010. "We do not want to make harder the social situation
of the Armenian population, nevertheless a decision has been made
to increase the price for the electricity produced by the Armenian
Atomic Station," the president said.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed assurance that there exists great potential
to export electricity to Turkey. He expressed hope that the opening
of the borders will create an opportunity to develop economic
cooperation particularly in the electricity sphere. The president
highlighted Armenia’s integration into world energy system as well
as its participation in the regional energy projects. Serzh Sargsyan
particularly highlighted the construction of 400 kilowatt power new
electricity wire with the joint efforts of Iran, Georgia and Armenia
as well as construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and the activity
of the Yerevan thermo power plant operating recently.

Coordinator of the program management of the technical cooperation
department of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Andrey Chupov
said at a briefing with the reporters that the IAEA and a number of
international establishments are carrying out serious steps to ensure
security of the Armenian Atomic Station. Specialists are periodically
visiting Armenia to assess the security level of the station, support
the leadership of the AAS and its staff.

In the first part of the session director general of NSAG Gagik
Markosyan presented the activity of the atomic station.

In the second part the head of the government-affiliated State
Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee Ashot Martirosyan will present
the report of the establishment for 2008-2010, Armenian Energy and
Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisian will come forth with report.