Russian government approves draft agreement with Armenia on nuclear security
The Russian government approved the draft intergovernmental agreement with Armenia on early notification of a nuclear disaster and information exchange on nuclear and radiation security. The Russian government document was posted today on the legal information website, according to RIA Novosti.
The government instructed Rosatom state nuclear energy corporation to negotiate with the Armenian side and sign the agreement on behalf of the Russian government after the sides come to an agreement.
The only nuclear power plant of Armenia is located in the city of Metsamor, 30 km south of Yerevan. It was put into operation in 1980 and shut down in 1989 after the 1988 devastating earthquake in Spitak that claimed 25,000 lives. The plant was re-launched in 1995. In March 2014 the Armenian government decided to extend the service life of the Armenian nuclear power plant’s 2nd unit due to a delay in construction of the new power unit.