• Copy Link Share on X Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook Following a meeting in Yerevan Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and US Vice President JD Vance signed a joint statement on the completion of negotiations on the Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America in the Field of Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy, known as a123 Agreement. • The agreement, which will provide the legal framework for export of nuclear material, equipment and components from the US to Armenia is named after Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, which requires the conclusion of a peaceful cooperation agreement before significant transfers of nuclear material or equipment from the US can begin. • “Once this gets underway, it will pave the way for the American and Armenian companies to strike deals on civil nuclear projects. • That means up to $5bn in initial US exports plus an additional $4bn in long term support through fuel and maintenance contracts.” Vance said. • He added: “This is a classic win-win for both Armenia and the United States of America. • This means stronger energy security for my own country and I also think it means stronger energy security for Armenia, and it also will create a lot of new jobs back home in the United States.
Article Summaries:
- Armenia and the United States have signed a 123 Agreement, a legal framework that allows the U.S. to export nuclear material, equipment and components to Armenia. The deal, formalized in Yerevan by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and U.S. Vice‑President J.D. Vance, could unlock up to $5 billion in initial U.S. exports and an additional $4 billion in long‑term fuel and maintenance contracts. The agreement is seen as a step toward Armenia’s planned small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant, with technology options still under study. The signing follows Armenia’s decision to extend the life of its Metsamor plant to 2036.
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