Monday, December 5 2016 21:53

ArmInfo. Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia delivered a speech at the International Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna on December 5. As the press- service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry informs, the Minister's statement reads as follows:

"This is a good opportunity to review the progress made in  implementing decisions adopted during Nuclear Security Summits and  2013 Conference on Nuclear Security and IAEA General Conferences, as  well as to elaborate our joint endeavors aimed at further  strengthening the international nuclear security. In this regard the  outcome document of the Ministerial Segment will guide us in our  joint endeavor to achieve more effective global nuclear security.

Armenia strongly supports the essential role of the International  Atomic Energy Agency in the global nuclear security architecture and  its leading role in facilitating and coordinating nuclear security  activities among Member States, as well as international  organizations and initiatives.  Armenia attaches great importance to  reinforcing nuclear security both at national and international  levels through the ratification and implementation of international  legal instruments as well as the establishment of robust national  legislation. It is noteworthy that in 2015 we have adopted Amendments  to the Government decrees on approval of the licensing procedure for  import and export of radioactive materials, on the rules of physical  protection for radioactive materials and on the concept of physical  protection and security of Armenian Nuclear Power Plant and nuclear  materials. These measures are aimed at complementing the  implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Physical  Protection of Nuclear Material and its Amendment.

Armenia fully implements its international obligations under the UN  Security Council Resolution 1540.  The National Action Plan of  Armenia for 2015-2020 outlines series of concrete steps ranging from  reviewing already implemented national measures to the coordination  of ongoing and anticipated activities.

We are also active in counter-proliferation initiatives such as  Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and Proliferation  Security Initiative. The Government of Armenia is continuously  working with its international partners at bilateral and multilateral  levels to further enhance its national capabilities in countering  nuclear smuggling.  Armenia closely cooperates on a regular basis  with the IAEA and other relevant International organizations and  partner countries on all issues related to the nuclear energy. The  Armenian nuclear power plant has always registered excellent record  of safety. The Armenian Government's decision on extension of the  life cycle of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant was taken after  thorough consultations with the IAEA and our international partners  with a strong emphasis on ensuring its safety and security. In  particular, numerous IAEA on-site inspections and assessment missions  have reaffirmed Armenia's commitment in implementing its  international obligations and the highest level of openness and  transparency. Non-compliance or deviation from the requirements of  international treaties has not been recorded.

Against this background it is regrettable that some Member States,  namely Azerbaijan and Turkey in a sheer disrespect to IAEA - its  findings, records and analysis have been trying to exploit  international fora for their own narrow political and propaganda  purposes in order to spread groundless charges against Armenia. These  fabricated and recycled accusations have nothing to do with the  reality.    As a strong supporter of the non-proliferation policies, Armenia  reiterates its full compliance with the nonproliferation treaty and  other relevant treaties, as well as IAEA safeguards agreements and  additional protocol.  In conclusion, I would like once again to  reiterate Armenia's strong commitment to the collective efforts aimed  at strengthening the nuclear security architecture."