Chernobyl type Metsamor nuclear power plant poses a great threat not only to Armenia but also to the entire region.
The statement came from deputy of Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Rasim Musabayov, commenting on statements by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the Metsamor nuclear power plant made at the nuclear security summit in the Hague.
President Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the Third Nuclear Security Summit, held in the Netherlands.
Speaking about the dangers posed by the outdated nuclear power plant built almost 40 years ago in Armenia, Ilham Aliyev said that the the NPP is a big threat to the entire region and the nearest neighbors, emphasizing the inevitability of the tragic consequences of any accident there.
According to Musabayov, the station poses a threat primarily because of location in a seismic zone. Even in the case of medium- strength earthquake, the nuclear power plant can cause significant environmental damage throughout the region, which is of a great economic and military- strategic importance.
"The plant is dangerous also in terms of technical operation, since Armenia has no mechanisms to prevent accidents, and even so more the resources for the full operation of the plant. All the resources of the plant are fully worked out and only as a result of the application of additional measures it is possible to prolong its use”, the deputy said.
Musabayov recalled that Americans and Europeans had once allocated funds to Armenia, but on condition that Armenians will shut down the station.
"Armenians gladly accepted Western money and with the same pleasure they spent it, later saying that they have no other choice, after which the operation of the power plant was discontinued with the support of Russia , which took over the management. So the real concerns are obvious for all, especially considering the threat to security posed by the wastes from this power plant. Armenia has no borders with Russia, while neither Turkey nor Azerbaijan nor Georgia allow the passage of fissile materials through their territories . Under these conditions, we have very great concerns that they may try to carry out the disposal of radioactive waste in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Speaking about the lack of ability to control properly a part of their borders in connection with the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, President Ilham Aliyev expressed concern over the illegal transport of nuclear and radioactive materials, as well as contamination of Armenian-occupied territories of Azerbaijan with the disposal of radioactive waste
Musabayov noted that all the fears expressed by the President of Azerbaijan are quite justified and require the interference of the international community.
"Armenians should know that they are under the instant attention of the world community. And if at least some damage has been caused, it should be minimized”, Musabayov said.
Metsamor (Armenian) nuclear power plant was built in 1970. After the devastating 1988 earthquake in Spitak, it was closed, but in 1995, despite international protests, the operation resumed and moreover the second reactor was also launched.
According to the estimates by environmentalists and scientists from all over the region, the seismic activity of the area makes the operation of the nuclear power plant in Metsamor an extremely risky venture even in the case of construction of a new reactor.
Meanwhile, Armenia, ignoring the calls of the international community, decided to continue operation of the nuclear power plant until 2026 despite the fact that the station is located in a highly seismic zone and is based on an outdated and extremely dangerous technology.
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