Metsamor – the only nuclear plant based on Chernobyl technology - Azerbaijani MFA

  26 April 2017    Read: 7223
Metsamor – the only nuclear plant based on Chernobyl technology - Azerbaijani MFA
On the occasion of the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, Azerbaijan, expressing solidarity with Belarus, Ukraine and Russia which were directly affected by this tragedy, calls on the international community to pay attention to the threat posed by Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant built in 1976 using the same technology as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, said Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev.
Hajiyev made the remarks on the occasion of the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.

He noted that Metsamor is the only nuclear power plant operating on the basis of the Chernobyl technology.

The ministry spokesman recalled that April 26 was proclaimed as the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day by the resolution (A/RES/7/125) adopted by the UN General Assembly on 8 December 2016.

“The Chernobyl nuclear disaster that took place on 26 April 1986 is considered one of the most terrible tragedies in the history of mankind. Though more than 30 years have passed since the Chernobyl disaster, its radioactive, humanitarian, environmental, social and economic consequences still remain,” he said.

He noted that more than 7,000 people from Azerbaijan were involved in eliminating the consequences of the disaster. Currently, there are at least 5000 Chernobyl`s disabled people in Azerbaijan. More than 2000 of them have died.

With regard to the Metsamor nuclear power plant, Hajiyev stated that “no serious and major repairs have been carried out at the station since it was constructed.”

Metsamor NPP is located in the seismically active zone, said Hajiyev, stressing that Armenia lacks financial resources to maintain and operate the plant in accordance with the technical safety requirements.

The Metsamor NPP built in 1975 possesses the same technology with Chernobyl that led to the death of more than 40 thousand people. It possesses the oldest nuclear power plant technology. The Metsamor NPP-with its considerable reserves of radioactive materials and nuclear waste- is known as the most insecure power plant of the world. If the NPP leaks radioactive material, it can cause even bigger disaster rather than Chernobyl.

Besides, the NPP lies close to earthquake-prone locality, the seismic stability of which is 8-magnitude. Besides, Armenians have adjusted a channel of export of radioactive materials through Georgia. As all know, the terrorists have an increased demand for radioactive materials for acts of terrorism in connection with growth of terrorist danger in the Middle East. Armenians are supplying terrorist groups with radioactive materials. Therefore, ISIL can buy radioactive materials from Armenian "dirty" businessmen in Georgia.

“To repair the station in accordance with operational requirements, Armenia lacks human resources, and most of the experts trained during the Soviet period have already left the country,” said the Azerbaijani MFA spokesman.

He went on to say that the physical protection of Metsamor NPP is not organized properly. “This plant serves as a base for nuclear terrorism and smuggling of radioactive substances. Radioactive materials illegally removed from Metsamor were repeatedly found and seized in other countries.”

Hajiyev stressed that outdated technology and non-observance of the rules of technical safety pose serious environmental problems for Armenia and the region, and cause radioactive contamination of water basins and trans-regional rivers.

“The plant’s operation is not transparent, and no information is provided of the constantly occurring malfunctions and accidents there,” he added.

The spokesman pointed out that National Geographic TV channel estimates Metsamor as the ‘world’s most dangerous’ nuclear plant.

According to him, the continued operation of Metsamor, the moral and technical resources of which are exhausted, is another example of Armenia’s irresponsible behavior towards the international community.

“Armenia, instead of taking lessons from the Chernobyl disaster, continues to put in danger millions of people living across the Caspian, Black and Mediterranean basins,” he added.

Hajiyev recalled that nuclear power plants similar to Metsamor were closed down in Bulgaria and Slovakia with the EU support. He accused Armenia of refusing the support from the EU and other international institutions for suspending Metsamor’s operation.

Hajiyev urged the UN and its relevant agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), regional countries, civil organizations specialized in environmental protection, international media outlets, as well as sensible people in the Armenian society to intensify their efforts in order to suspend the activities of the Metsamor nuclear power plant which, like Chernobyl, poses a radioactive threat to the whole region.

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