“I consider Armenia a part of the Near East. While Armenia has no oil or gas, it has great water reserves."  

Addressing a “New Energy for the Middle East” discussion at the World Economic Forum in Jordan, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian supported the greater use of sustainable energy resources, including nuclear energy, as a prime way to protect the environment.

Referring to the world's history of energy use as a “black” page, Sarkissian said that "we used to burn coal and fossil fuels but are now attempting to use sustainable energy resources to usher in a green future."

“The question is whether nuclear energy can be a part of this or not. My personal opinion is that it must be a part of the approach. No one has mathematically calculated the damage to the planet, to the environment and climate by burning fuel and coal,” Sarkissian said, according to an Armenian government press release.

Sarkissian said that the Soviet-era nuclear reactor in Armenia has served the country well and safely, even after two earthquakes hit the country.

“In Armenia, we are developing sustainable energy. Armenia now exports electricity,” Sarkissian told those attending the discussion, adding that the country’s energy portfolio is very balanced.

The Armenian president also said that water, as an energy resource, is also very important, and that Armenia is unique in this respect.

“All those countries that talked about having rich natural resources listed sun, wind and oil, but not water. Water, however, is very important. Fifty and one hundred years from now, water will be an energy source. We use it not only for drinking but to create energy,” Sarkissian said.

“I consider Armenia a part of the Near East. While Armenia has no oil or gas, it has great water reserves. Sadly, we only use 10-20% of our reserves. The rest is wasted,” Sarkissian said.

Sarkissian said that dramatic energy policy changes must be made now to hasten the transfer from coal to sustainable energy, otherwise damage will be done to the environment and the climate.

“The damage done to the climate will not be passive. It will be dramatic, leading to drought and food problems. Water will decrease and deserts and tsunamis will increase,” he said.

The Armenian president said energy solutions must be based on new technologies and more hydro-electric power.