OSCE OFFICE PRESENTS PUBLICATION ON ARMENIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

Armenpress
Aug 31, 2005

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS: The OSCE Office in Yerevan and the NGO
Environmental Public Advocacy Center (EPAC) presented a publication
on the existing Armenian environmental legislation.

“This publication will contribute to a greater awareness of
legislation amongst the population, which is key for its effective
implementation”, said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan. The book, entitled “Environmental Law of the
Republic of Armenia”, which is a compilation of existing Armenian
environmental legislation, fills the present information gap. It
is primarily intended to serve as a resource book for legislators,
judges, lawyers and government staff — the decision-makers in the
fields of environmental protection and human rights.

The book can also be used by all members of the general public with
an interest in environmental legislation.

Aida Iskoyan, President of EPAC and editor of the book, emphasized
that the publication will contribute to the implementation of the
main principles of the Aarhus Convention in Armenia, such as access
to information, public participation in decision-making and access
to justice in environmental matters. Around 30 representatives from
the National Assembly, Government, Prosecutor’s Office, Constitutional
Court, and civil society participated in the discussion, following the
book presentation and underlined the importance of such a publication
in their daily work.

Implementation of the Aarhus Convention is a priority of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan. One of the immediate steps after ratification by
Armenia in 2001 was to establish a Public Environmental Information
Center (known as the Aarhus Center) in 2002, supported by the OSCE
Office, the Ministry of Nature Protection, civil society and the
international community. The Office intends to open regional Aarhus
Centers in coming months.