asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the reported starting-up of an unsafe nuclear power station by the Armenian Government is related to the Azerbaijian Government's blockade of Armenia, and what encouragement are Her Majesty's Government giving to the lifting of this blockade.

Her Majesty's Government is supporting measures to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh dispute. This would bring to an end the economic blockade imposed by some of Armenia's neighbours which has contributed to the current shortage of fuel in the country. Lack of alternative sources of energy was the reason for the decision to reopen Unit 2 of the Medzamor nuclear power plant.