YEREVAN, Armenia — The Armenian government has decided to extend the operation of the country's sole nuclear power plant until a new nuclear reactor is built.
The landlocked and impoverished ex-Soviet nation depends on the Medzamor plant for nearly half of its energy consumption. The Soviet-built plant was to be shut down in 2016, but the Cabinet ruled Thursday that it should remain operational for a few extra years until its replacement enters service.
It said the authorities would take additional measures to increase safety at the plant. A reactor being built by Russia is to become operational in 2019-20. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian said he had discussed the issue with Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
(AP)
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