The safe use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes remains one of Armenia’s state policy priorities, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
“The Armenian government has adopted a policy of maintaining nuclear energy as a key component of the country’s electricity system.
While the operational lifespan of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has been extended until 2036, we are exploring options for a smooth and safe transition to a new nuclear power unit. In this regard, Armenia is currently carefully studying available technological options for Small Modular Reactors and reviewing proposals presented by international partners. The selection process is based on reliability, long-term sustainability, and our commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation.
Arms control regimes can be effective only when implemented in good faith and grounded in fundamental principles, including transparency, verifiability, compliance and deterrence. These principles are indispensable for preserving predictability and preventing destabilizing arms races.
Following the breakthrough progress recorded on August 8 last year in Washington, and the signing of a Joint Declaration by the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan, witnessed by the President of the United States, a new chapter of peace, prosperity and regional cooperation has opened in the South Caucasus. The current conditions present a real opportunity to develop connectivity, trade and confidence-building measures between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which can play a significant role in consolidating peace, deepening mutual trust and promoting regional cooperation,” Mirzoyan said.
He also noted that rapid developments in artificial intelligence are transforming many areas of modern life, including the military sphere.
“Ensuring meaningful human control in the development, deployment and use of military artificial intelligence systems is of vital importance. Decisions on the use of force, as well as responsibility and accountability for their consequences, must firmly remain in human hands and cannot be delegated to machines. Armenia emphasizes that human judgment remains indispensable in ensuring lawful, responsible and ethical conduct during armed conflicts.
Armenia places particular emphasis on states’ responsibility in the international transfer of conventional arms. Weapons must not be supplied where there is a risk that they could be used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law, or to deliberately harm civilians. Armenia stresses the importance of thorough, evidence-based risk assessments in arms transfer decisions to ensure that weapons do not contribute to further instability or to violence beyond state control.
We firmly believe that despite today’s complex and uncertain environment, we can work together to address disarmament and non-proliferation challenges in a balanced, equitable and sustainable manner,” the Armenian foreign minister said.
Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, following a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced that Armenia and the United States had concluded negotiations on a so-called 1-2-3 agreement in the field of civilian nuclear energy, opening broad opportunities for large-scale projects. He noted that this implies up to $5 billion in initial exports from the United States, plus $4 billion in support through fuel and maintenance.
