Russian Foreign Ministry says Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan likely to attend "Atomic Week" in Moscow

YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, suggested that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's attendance at the Atomic Week in Moscow at the end of September is a possibility that cannot be dismissed.

On August 28, Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed his plans to visit the Russian Federation at the end of September.

"We do not rule out the chance of the Armenian Prime Minister attending, but we need to contact official Yerevan for confirmation. We have noted interest from the Armenian side in enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy," Zakharova stated during a press briefing on Friday.

She further added, "Our nuclear scientists have been sharing expertise for almost fifty years since the Metsamor NPP was established in Armenia, and currently, Rosatom is collaborating with Armenian specialists to extend its operation until 2036."

"Conversations about new generation issues are also in progress; we understand that our partners want to tackle this matter comprehensively, considering all possible options. Russia is ready for various scenarios, and we have the complete range from small modular reactors to a new large modern facility," Zakharova concluded.

The existing Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the only one in the South Caucasus region, is located near the town of Metsamor, approximately 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. The plant is one of the core sources of electricity in the country, providing up to 40% of total production. Its operational life has been extended until 2026, with ongoing work to further prolong it for another 10 years. Plans are in place to construct a new nuclear power plant.