Tweet
ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER AND EUROCOMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSS ENERGY SECURITY ISSUES
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Deputy Director General for Foreign
Relations of the European Commission Fokio Fotiadis was received on
April 5 by RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. The prime minister
expressed a hope that Fokio Fotiadis' first visit to Armenia will
become a new stimulus for further close cooperation, including
during the implementation stage of Armenia's action plan within the
framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. F. Fotiadis noted
that negotiations on the action plan have begun, which signifies a
new stage in Armenia-EU relations. He underlined the European side's
interest in a rapid completion of negotiations and establishment of
long-term cooperation with Armenia. He expressed a hope that the
discussions will finish by late April, with a mutually beneficial
version of the action plan being worked out.
Andranik Margarian and Fokio Fotiadis also addressed the issue of
energy security, including the problems related to the closure of the
Metsamor nuclear power plant and the necessity to create alternative
sources of energy. The prime minister pointed out that Armenia is not
against the closure of the nuclear power plant but on the condition
that traditional and nontraditional sources of energy are created and
the country's energy independence and security are ensured. He said
that in recent years the Armenian government not only has conducted
active negotiations with international structure but also has taken
a number of steps in this direction, particularly by encouraging
the constrcution and operation of small hydropower plants run by
water and wind energy. In his words, in case of availability of the
necessary financial resources, making decisions about the closure
of the Armenian nuclear power plant or construction of a new one,
and further implementation of such decisions will become more
realistic. The Eurocommission representative stated the European
Union's willingness to assist Armenia with solution of its energy
security problems. He underlined that the existence of a clear program
on the process of closing the Armenian nuclear power plant with all
steps being outlined will help the international community comprehend
the importance of the issue and the work to be done, which, according
to him, will create favorable conditions for holding an international
conference of donors with the aim of discussing the opportunities of
financial assistance. According to the RA Government Information and
PR Department, the meeting participants also discussed the activities
aimed at human rights protection in Armenia, as well as the process
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.
Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Deputy Director General for Foreign
Relations of the European Commission Fokio Fotiadis was received on
April 5 by RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. The prime minister
expressed a hope that Fokio Fotiadis' first visit to Armenia will
become a new stimulus for further close cooperation, including
during the implementation stage of Armenia's action plan within the
framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. F. Fotiadis noted
that negotiations on the action plan have begun, which signifies a
new stage in Armenia-EU relations. He underlined the European side's
interest in a rapid completion of negotiations and establishment of
long-term cooperation with Armenia. He expressed a hope that the
discussions will finish by late April, with a mutually beneficial
version of the action plan being worked out.
Andranik Margarian and Fokio Fotiadis also addressed the issue of
energy security, including the problems related to the closure of the
Metsamor nuclear power plant and the necessity to create alternative
sources of energy. The prime minister pointed out that Armenia is not
against the closure of the nuclear power plant but on the condition
that traditional and nontraditional sources of energy are created and
the country's energy independence and security are ensured. He said
that in recent years the Armenian government not only has conducted
active negotiations with international structure but also has taken
a number of steps in this direction, particularly by encouraging
the constrcution and operation of small hydropower plants run by
water and wind energy. In his words, in case of availability of the
necessary financial resources, making decisions about the closure
of the Armenian nuclear power plant or construction of a new one,
and further implementation of such decisions will become more
realistic. The Eurocommission representative stated the European
Union's willingness to assist Armenia with solution of its energy
security problems. He underlined that the existence of a clear program
on the process of closing the Armenian nuclear power plant with all
steps being outlined will help the international community comprehend
the importance of the issue and the work to be done, which, according
to him, will create favorable conditions for holding an international
conference of donors with the aim of discussing the opportunities of
financial assistance. According to the RA Government Information and
PR Department, the meeting participants also discussed the activities
aimed at human rights protection in Armenia, as well as the process
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.