U.S. MOVING TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000412 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KGHG SENV SUBJECT: U.S. MOVING TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY REF: SECSTATE 59971 ¶1. Econoff delivered reftel points to Deputy Minister of Energy Areg Galstyan. Galstian informed that the GOAM would be represented by Armenia's Ambassador to Egypt at the June 28-30 IRENA meeting in Cairo. ¶2. The GOAM has no strong preference regarding the siting of the HQ, but Galstyan said he would convey USG preference for the UAE to the MFA. Regarding election of a DG, he reported the GOAM had a request from France to support its candidate. He could not say if or when the GOAM would ratify the IRENA statute. ¶3. While the Energy Ministry in the past has shown an impressive commitment to renewable energy, the GOAM's highest priority for the foreseeable future will be development of a new nuclear power plant, which it hopes to have in operation by 2016 to replace the current facility. ¶4. Post will also pass reftel points to the MFA. YOVANOVITCH