Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Friday


President Sargsyan participates in session of Council for Nuclear Energy Safety



YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
on October 27 had a meeting with the newly-appointed chairman of the
Council for Nuclear Energy Safety, senior advisor of the International
Atomic Energy Safety (IAES) and World Association of Nuclear Operators
Miroslav Lipar who arrived in Armenia to take part in the 15th session
of the Council for Nuclear Energy Safety, press service of the
President’s Office told Armenpress.

The Armenian President congratulated Miroslav Lipar on his appointment
and wished him success and productive work, expressing hope that his
experience in nuclear energy field will contribute to the effective
work of the Council.

President Sargsyan and Miroslav Lipar discussed the program works
carried out for increasing the security level of the Armenian Nuclear
Power Plant, the events planned by the program of extending the
deadline for operation of the second energy bloc of NPP, as well as
the process of necessary works aimed at increasing the preparedness
level of the NPP staff.

Miroslav Lipar assured the President that the Council for Nuclear
Energy Safety consists of highly qualified specialists and can
continue providing significant assistance to the NPP. He informed that
the Council members visited the plant yesterday and noted that after
each visit new improvements and progress are being realized in the
NPP. The Council chairman said despite significant works have been
implemented, still a lot of actions are needed, and the Council with
full responsibility will continue keeping in spotlight the NPP’s safe
operation.

After the meeting President Sargsyan participated in the session of
the Council for Nuclear Energy Safety in the reception hall of the
government.

The President welcomed the Council members and the remaining
participants of the session. He said 20 years have passed since the
first session of the Council and thanked AdolfBerghoffer, unchanged
chairman of the Council, as well as the previous and current members
for professional assistance to the implementation of programs aimed at
increasing the NPP security. The President informed that
AdolfBerghoffer will no longer be able to continue his tenure, but
will remain in the Council staff. Serzh Sargsyan said the Council
highly appreciates AdolfBerghoffer’s achievements on implementation of
Armenian NPP security raising national program and awarded him with an
Honorary Order for the contribution and dedication on ensuring the
safe operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.

Thereafter, the President introduced newly-appointed chairman Miroslav
Lipar to the Council members. The President also introduced new member
of the Council Peter Kelm (Germany) who has worked in the nuclear
energy field for a long time and is well familiar with the ANPP and
the objects of Armenia’s energy infrastructure. The President wished
success and productive work to the newly-appointed members of the
Council.

In his remarks the President said the maintenance and development of
the nuclear energy remains a strategic direction for Armenia in
accordance with the program of ‘Long-term development trends (until
2036) of energy system of the Republic of Armenia’ approved by the
Armenian government in December, 2015.

“The program envisages to extend the operation of the current power
plant up to 2027, and later to implement phased installation of new
nuclear blocks. Armenia and Russia have signed agreements on providing
state export loan to the Armenian government for the implementation of
a program on extending the term of operation of the NPP’s second
energy bloc and providing grant for financing that program”, the
President said.

The President highlighted that they attach a special importance to
cadre policy in nuclear field. The preparation of specialists will
contribute to maintaining infrastructures in the country.

In his remarks the President specifically attached importance to the
agreed work of Armenia’s nuclear safety regulating body and the
Armenian NPP.

Thereafter, General Director of the ANPP CJSC Movses Vardanyan
presented to the Council members the activity of the ANPP. Then,
chairman of the State Committee for Nuclear Safety Regulation Ashot
Martirosyan presented the report of Armenia’s nuclear safety
regulating body for 2015-2017. The presentation of reports were
followed by discussions.