Armenian nuclear power dilemma

European Union officials plan to carry out serious testing of nuclear power stations in European territories. So called stress tests will consider the possibilities of terrorist acts, plane crashes or other disasters. Armenia’s nuclear station in Metsamor, which has been functioning from 1976, was checked in May 2011 with positive results; however the population of neighboring countries Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia are expressing their concern about the safety of the station. Even certain Armenian analysts are feeling uncomfortable. Leader of Armenian Greens, Akop Sanasarian, expressed his fear for the security of the station. The Armenian nuclear power station is old and out of date and it should be shut down according to many analysts. But it is unlikely that Armenian officials would do this before a new nuclear power station is built and start functioning properly.