On October 4, 2022 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delegation headed by Rafael Grossi, Director General visited the Armenian NPP. The IAEA delegation was accompanied by Hakob Vardanyan, Deputy Minister of TAI of RA, Armen Papikyan, RA Ambassador to Austria and representatives of the RA MFA.

The visitors performed a walk-down of the plant area, got acquainted with the upgrading work carried out at the ANPP and on the site they got necessary information and answers to their questions.

After the technical walk-down during a meeting with the ANPP management the guests were first welcomed by H. Vardanyan, Deputy Minister of TAI of RA. He attached importance to the fact that in the current situation R. Grossi expressed willingness to visit Armenia and the Armenian NPP. The Deputy Minister stressed out that since the restart of the ANPP Unit 2 for almost 30 years the IAEA had been providing a technical support to the Armenian NPP which played an important role in the development of our economy.

Then IAEA Director Rafael Grossi made a welcoming speech. He was pleased to note that following his previous visit to the plant a comprehensive large-scale work had been implemented, which, of course, would ensure the safe and reliable operation of the plant in future. “Today I had an opportunity to see with my own eyes the tremendous work that was performed at the Metsamor NPP, and I made sure that you really deserved the support that the IAEA provided. Keep working with the same spirit, and we, in turn, will do our best to support you," ended his speech the head of the Agency.

E. Martirosyan, General Director of the HAEK CJSC, in turn, greeted the guests and thanked them for many years of close and fruitful cooperation. E. Martirosyan presented the current and upcoming programs - at the moment preparatory activities are underway both to re-extend the life of Unit 2 and to build a new nuclear power unit. “We have a great resource and a strong wish,” said the HAEK CJSC General Director, “and we hope it will help us to achieve success”. He also emphasized the importance of involving the young generation in the nuclear power plant operation activities, which has always been and remains in the focus of the NPP management’s attention.

At the end of the meeting the parties expressed mutual confidence that the long-term cooperation between the ANPP and the IAEA has all the prerequisites for enhancement and continuous development.