Armenia also considers building a new nuclear power plant (NPP) as competitive alternative to closing Metsamor NPP, Armenian Minister of Energy Armen Movsisian told journalists yesterday when commenting on the proposals of European structures to create alternatives to the nuclear energy sources in the country. At that he confirmed the position of the Armenian leadership that the Armenian NPP should function until alternative energy sources are found to secure the country. "The European Union has never come against the building of a new nuclear plant," the Minister emphasized. "It is natural that if they invest so much money, they will insist on building not a new atomic station, but other alternative energy sources," he noted at the same time. A. Movsisian considers that serious funds and much time will be necessary for that. According to his estimates, it will cost about $1 billion. When possible sources of financing are found one can speak of the terms of fulfilling the EU requirements, the Minister said.