Turkey concerned over Armenian nuclear power station

People in six Turkish provinces close to the border with Armenia have expressed their concern over the operation of the Armenian nuclear power station in Metsamor. Residents in these regions have signed a petition complaining about the Armenian nuclear power station and categorically demanding it ceases operating immediately. The population of these Turkish provinces also expresses its concern about possible radiation leakage or explosion as well as the increase of cancer cases in the regions. Metsamor nuclear power station is one of the first generation of soviet-made facilities. It started operating in 1980, but was shut down in March 1989 as a result of the disastrous earthquake in Spitak (Armenia). In 1995 it was re-launched and today produces around 40% of Armenia’s consumed electricity.