Armenia's Nuclear Power Plant Symbolizes and Strengthens Our Sovereignty: Nikol Pashinyan

Nuclear energy is a cornerstone of Armenia's strategy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated today at the inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, emphasizing that it ensures both Armenia's energy security and climate change mitigation.

Pashinyan highlighted that for decades, Armenia's nuclear power plant has served as a crucial element of the country's energy system, providing stable energy production.

The Prime Minister specifically noted, "Currently, about 30% of our country's electricity is generated from nuclear energy. The path to reaching that point was thorny, culminating in the dramatic period of the power plant's closure. Today, we can proudly state that among other important things, it also symbolizes and strengthens our sovereignty."

However, this important role also entails great responsibility. Armenia is actively cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by adopting an active stance on ensuring nuclear safety while fulfilling all its obligations.

“We regularly host expert missions, the reports of which clearly indicate that Armenia operates the power plant in accordance with IAEA safety standards. The absence of any incidents regarding nuclear or radiation safety throughout the entire operational history of our nuclear power plant speaks to our unwavering commitment to this endeavor,” he added.

This achievement is a testament to Armenia's political will and technical expertise. We also express our gratitude for the invaluable technical support, knowledge, and guidance provided by the IAEA and partner countries, which have played a crucial role in guaranteeing the safe and reliable operation of our nuclear power plant.

Today, we reaffirm our collective commitment to leveraging the full potential of nuclear energy and creating favorable conditions for its development. Unfortunately, ongoing conflicts around the world, including recent conflicts in our regions, not only jeopardize the safety of nuclear facilities but also impede the advancement of peaceful nuclear initiatives.

Armenia calls on all international partners to seize the historic opportunity of this summit and collaboratively promote the commitments and goals enshrined in the summit declaration, paving the way for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for generations to come.