Foreign Ministry: Russian proposal on nuclear power plant could meet Armenia's needs for a 'century ahead'

The Russian side has proposed to Armenia a project for a high-capacity nuclear power plant that could meet the republic's needs for a "century ahead."

This was stated in an interview with TASS by Mikhail Kalugin, director of the Fourth CIS Countries Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Rosatom State Corporation offered Armenia a project for a high-capacity plant that, should the Armenian leadership so decide, would cover the country's energy needs for decades, or even a century ahead. At the same time, it would provide low electricity tariffs for the end consumer, which, among other things, would significantly boost the country's industrial growth," the diplomat emphasized.

He noted that Russia is a global leader in nuclear technology and can always share its expertise and experience with Armenia in such an important area for the republic as energy. The Russian side is also ready to share technologies in the field of digitalization. "Today our country is one of the three states in the world possessing the most advanced solutions," Kalugin pointed out. According to him, foreigners note Russia's advanced internet banking as well as "achievements in digitizing public services and healthcare."

"And these are just some examples of what the 'Russian proposal' entails," said the director of the Foreign Ministry department. Speaking about the future of bilateral relations, he added that Moscow aims for mutually enriching cooperation with Yerevan.

"This is precisely the model embedded in the integration associations common to our countries — the EAEU, the CIS, and the CSTO. We have always interacted with Armenia on equal terms, never imposed a cultural code or demanded that it sacrifice its identity or historically important symbols. We value and respect the connection of the Armenian diaspora with its 'small homeland,'" Kalugin concluded.

On April 2, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said in an interview with TASS that Yerevan could face an energy shortage in the country if it does not decide on the construction of a new nuclear power plant by the end of 2026.