The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant next to Iğdır was built using the same technology as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Despite completing its life in 2005, Armenia still operates this power plant. Turkey is closely monitoring the plant, also it came up in Parliament in the last days.
MINISTER ÇAVUŞOĞLU: "RISK FOR THE ALL REGION"
CHP Deputy Deniz Yavuzyılmaz brought the dangers of the Armenian Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, 16 kilometers away from Iğdır, to the Assembly with a question proposal. Question responsive to motion Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, "In a region where our boundaries of natural disasters and in close proximity of the plant, a facility operated using older technology, which constitute a true risk factor for the entire region is emphasized by Turkey," he said.
ENTERED THE REPORTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Stating that the power plant carries risks for many cities in the region, especially in Iğdır, Yavuz Yılmaz made the following statement from Hürriyet to Ece Çelik:
"At the moment, there is a power plant that operates like a time bomb on the edge of our border, threatening our national security. Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, which was built in 1977 using the same technology as Chernobyl and Fukushima, completed its life in 2005 but continued to operate after this stage. Despite the fact that the EU has produced official reports on the danger posed by this power plant, Armenia has not closed this place, citing its energy need in the country. The accidents in two examples made in the same period with this power plant caused irreparable damages to the world."
"WE CAN'T WAIT ARMENIA"
"The country, which builds nuclear power plants under international laws, is also responsible for an accident. Here in Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Nakhichevan many countries under risk. Also, in such a disaster, it will spread poison to the entire geography through the clouds. The risks posed by this power plant should be revealed, what measures should be taken and these should be investigated. It is essential to have a radiation measurement center in Iğdır. We cannot expect Armenia to inform us in an accident here, we must intervene immediately."
THE EFFECTS ON HUMANS MUST BE SEARCHED
Head of Department of Public Health, Ege University School of Medicine Dr. Ali Osman Karababa suggested researching in and around Iğdır. Karababa, Radiation from nuclear power plants poses health risks for both power plant employees and those living in the vicinity of the power plant. Due to the proximity of Metsamor to our border, research should also be conducted in terms of the health effects of those living in settlements in our border region, he said.
NO URGENT ACTION PLAN ON THE BORDER
TMMOB Chamber of Environmental Engineers Baran Bozoğlu: "Precautions should be taken for the radiation effects, especially the provinces close to Armenia. Provincial directorates, AFAD teams and governorates need to plan an emergency action against a possible accident and share it with the local community. We got in touch with public institutions in the cities on the border. We learned that there are no emergency action plans against a possible accident," he said.