YEREVAN (combined sources)–Gagik Markosian–chief engineer of the Metsamor Armenian nuclear power plant–has announced the second unit of the plant will be halted in early July for planned repair works. Markosian said that plant would be refueled during the month and a half repair period.
The Armenian government on Thursday instructed the ministry of energy and the ministry of finance and economy to inform competent Russian bodies of Armenia’s refusal to borrow a credit of $11.7 million for the import of nuclear fuel.
In related news–the president of the European Commission–Romano Prodi–said after talks with Kocharian in Brussels on Wednesday–that he was pleased that–despite many difficulties–Armenia remains committed to closing the Metsamor nuclear power plant.