May 29, 2009 - 22:43 AMT
Azerbaijan is "concerned" about Armenia's participation in single energy system project
Marlen Askerov, vice president of Azerenerji OJSC (Azerbaijan's energy operator), says that last year Russia and Iran agreed on a scheme of this project but the Azerbaijan party has some remarks to this work.

"They included Armenia in this scheme. But by signing the environment route map we have obliged not to pass non-eco-friendly product through our country. Armenian nuclear power plant, the major power producer in this country, was built in the 80s and designed in the late 70s - early 80s. Then a norm for engineering was 8-grade seismicity of the region and today this level was increased up to 9 grades. Thus, the Armenian plant does not conform to ecological requirements on seismic activity. It is potentially ecologically dangerous for Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia. We offer not to include Armenia in the project until operation of this plant is stopped," Askerov said.

The issue of uniting of energy systems of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran has been under discussion since 2002, abc.az reported.