The world summit on nuclear security has ended in Seoul. All states developing nuclear technologies took part. North Korea and Iran were not invited, which is a signal that the talks concerned them.
Experts have called the final statement unclear. It contains urges to ban highly enriched nuclear fuel. Third world states were recommended to export only light-water reactors.
The idea would prevent terrorists from using nuclear materials. Iran enriches uranium to 19.75%, while light-water reactors enrich it to 2-5%. The Armenian nuclear power plant was also touched upon.
Vladimir Yevseyev, Director of the Russian Center for Socio-Political Studies, told Vestnik Kavkaza that there was no direct relation of talks to the Caucasus. Discussions concerned security of nuclear materials. Armenia is a Caucasus state with a nuclear power plant. But it is unclear where the nuclear fuel is disposed.
The expert noted that the power plant has reliable water-cooled energy blocks VVER-440. But seismological security there is low.
Vladimir Yevseyev noted that the power plant's automatic shutdown system worked perfectly during the earthquake in Spitak. Yet, the staff just ran out of the power plant, abandoning it. Staff from the Kolsk power plant was moved there urgently. The problem is that the reactor still produces about 15 MW when shut down. It may explosde unless it is cooled.
Armenia has a nuclear power plant in Metsamor about 20-30 km south of Yerevan and 16 km away from the Turkish border. It was built in 1976 and has only one energy block producing 407.5 MW.
Armenia is trying to convince the world that the power plant is secure. National Geographic published an article stating that the plant's design and lifepsna make it the most dangerous nuclear facility in the world.
Metsamor became a topical problem after the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Armenia insists that adjustments made in the last 15 years improve its security. However, the IAEA states that the power plant does not meet international norms. Its VVER-440 C systems are similar to the ones in Chernobyl. The Eu has not convinced Armenia to close the facility. The European Union offered 59 million euro to shut it down. It offers 200 million euro more to seal the place.
