Monday, 23 April 2007
RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan received the delegation led by CEO of Russian "Rosatom" Agency Sergey Kirienko.
Greeting his guest, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the delegation's current visit would mark the beginning of a new era in the history of the ongoing bilateral collaboration on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, especially as the two countries had quite a long record of cooperation in the given field.
Mr. Kirienko noted that considering the positive experience of safe and reliable commissioning of the ANPP, Russia and Armenia might continue cooperating with as much success. According to the parties, the time has come to take into effect their joint initiatives which will help raise the qualitative level of bilateral cooperation.
Mr. Kirienko said to be convinced that the protocols tabled for signing today will outline a new area of bilateral cooperation under the 2000 September agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy concluded between Armenia and Russia. He stressed that considering the prospective character of the nuclear energy sector, the proposed programs are susceptible to benefit both of the sides.
Highlighting the development of cooperation with Russia in the field nuclear energy, Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan emphasized that the Armenian side was prepared to host the Russian experts and would do everything to ensure timely and proper implementation of programs specified during the high-level contacts.
The parties have also touched upon the possibility of building a new NPP in Armenia.
At the close of the meeting, CEO of "Rosatom" Agency Sergey Kirianko and Armenian Minister of Nature Protection Vardan Aivazyan signed a Protocol of Intent on the cooperation in the field of geological survey, development and processing of uranium ores. Based on the meeting outcomes, protocols were also signed between Sergey Kirienko and RA Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan. Director of "Geo-Economics" CJSC (Armenia) Aram Baghdasaryan and Director General of the All-Russian Research and Development Institute of Chemical Technologies Valentin Shatalov signed an agreement on the preparation and substantiation of all necessary start-up data to carry out the expert appraisal of radio-active mines in the Republic of Armenia.
Following the document signing ceremony, CEO of "Rosatom" Agency Sergey Kirianko and RA Minister of Nature Protection Vardan Aivazyan gave a joint press conference.
