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IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visits the Metsamor nuclear plant. (Photo: ANPP)
Armenia can count on the help of the IAEA to ensure the safety and security of its low-carbon nuclear energy, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on his two-day stop in the country this week. On Tuesday and Wednesday in Yerevan, Grossi met with the country’s president, prime minister, foreign minister and other leaders, as well as infrastructure and fitness ministers. He also stopped at the Metsamor nuclear power plant and a cancer center.
During his meeting with President Vahagn Khachaturian, Mr. Grossi said that the IAEA is in a position to help the country realize its long-term nuclear force projects. The two men discussed the importance of strengthening Armenia’s nuclear sector given the country’s plans to make life bigger. of its Metsamor nuclear power plant (NPP) and its considerations in the construction of a new traditional reactor or a small modular reactor (SMR). Khachaturyan under pressure over the importance of nuclear power for Armenia and its economy.
Today, a quarter of Armenia’s electrical power is produced through the Armenianium-2 reactor at the Metsamor nuclear power plant. First connected to the grid in 1980, the 451 MW(e) reactor shut down for six years after an earthquake in 1988. before being restarted in 1995.
Last year, the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA) issued a license to make Armenian-2’s operation larger until September 2026. An IAEA project on the ty facets of long-term operation (SALTO) revealed that the Metsamor nuclear power plant had made significant innovations in ageing management and shared other recommendations for long-term operation. The country has also submitted plans to expand a third 1060 MWe reactor, Armenian-3, at Metsamor NPP.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday, Mr. Grossi described Armenia as a strong spouse of the IAEA and expressed the Agency’s assistance to the country in ensuring the safety and security of its nuclear program. In a meeting with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Mr. Grossi discussed the IAEA’s work to ensure nuclear safety and security worldwide and to address existing nuclear non-proliferation challenges. The programme will remain transparent and strictly adhere to IAEA recommendations and standards.
The Director General also met with Minister of Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan and ANRA President Khachatur Khachikyan to discuss the IAEA’s expansion and cooperation as the country evaluates its customers to implement RMS.
During his trip, Mr. Grossi had the opportunity to visit the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, located 36 kilometers west of Yerevan. While working on its reactor and assembly with its staff, he expressed his satisfaction with the innovations made for the safety and security of the facility and highlighted the commitment of his committed staff.
Along with Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan, Grossi visited the National Cancer Center named after Victor Fanarjian on Tuesday night, where he saw how IAEA help is making a difference in Armenia’s fight against cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death right now in Armenia and is estimated to account for 28% of all deaths in the country. In 2019, the IAEA, through its Action Program for Cancer Treatment (PACT), conducted an impact review to help the Ministry of Health of Armenia expand a comprehensive national cancer control program and access to quality cancer care throughout the country. The results of the imPACT review are available online.
Mr. Grossi spoke about the possibility of Armenia playing a greater role in Rays of Hope, an IAEA initiative to address cancer care and access to radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries. The Director General spoke with Ms. Avanesyan about adapting the oncology center into an “anchor center” to share knowledge and improve access to cancer treatment in the region.
The Director-General concluded his visit to Armenia on Wednesday with a lecture for academics from Yerevan State University. Interacting with other young people there, Mr. Grossi spoke about the IAEA’s work and its relevance to Armenians, as well as the opportunities in nuclear energy. field, adding in the IAEA.