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Head of Multinational Georgia organization Arnold Stepanyan: If Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is resolved, the problem of Metsamor nuclear power plant will be solved by itself

07 February 2012 09:06 (UTC +04:00)

â€œArmenia should be free from Russiaâ€™s energy dependenceâ€

Tbilisi. Nizami Mammadzadeh â€“ APA. â€œEach atomic power plant gives people heat and energy to improve their social lives. But from ecological point of view each atomic power plant is a great threat,â€ head of the Georgia-based Multinational Georgia organization Arnold Stepanyan said, APAâ€™s Georgia bureau reports. Answering APAâ€™s question â€œDoes Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia pose threat to the countries of the South Caucasus?â€ Stepanyan said the nuclear power plants in all regions are potential threats.

â€œA nuclear power plant no matter it is in Armenia, Iran, Japan or Turkey can be dangerous for the region. There are issues that should be approached to not only from ecological aspect, but also from social aspect. Under the present circumstances, this plant gives strong energy for production in Armenia. But there are alternative ways to get energy. I think, western investors will seek ways to produce alternative energy in Armenia. This is favorable for the seismically active region surrounding us and for the whole world. There is one complicated issue. The control stock of Metsamor nuclear power plant belongs to Russia. If alternative energy sources are created in Armenia and these sources are equal to the power of Metsamor plant, it will be very difficult to realize this project from political aspect. This will mean the end of Armeniaâ€™s getting energy resources from Russia. Russia will not allow this. Alternative energy resources were discussed during the recent visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Armenia,â€ he said.

Arnold Stepanyan said the discussion of energy issues during Sarkozyâ€™s visit to Armenia has deep roots.

â€œThe discussion of energy issues in Armenia by French President did not emerge suddenly. This is an attempt of the West to direct the countries of the South Caucasus not to the North, but at the same time to the West. Therefore, economic assistance should be given, so that it becomes strong and independent. Energy resources play important role in this issue. We know that Armenia has no power to create alternative energy resources. I think Armenia should be free from Russiaâ€™s energy dependence. If Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is resolved and Armenia has an opportunity to get energy from Azerbaijan, the problem of Metsamor nuclear power plant will be solved by itself,â€ he said.