OSCE OFFICE HELPS OPEN PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTERS IN ARMENIAN MARZES

ArmRadio.am
16.05.2007 17:23

Aarhus public environmental information Centers will be opened in
Kotayk, Shirak and Gegharkunik marzes of Armenia.

A corresponding memorandum of understanding was signed today between
the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Ministry of Nature Protection and
Marzpets.

The three new Centers in the cities of Gyumri, Hrazdan and Gavar, will
bring the total number of Aarhus Centers in Armenia to nine. Centers
already exist in Yerevan, Vanadzor, Goris, Kapan, Dilijan, and Idjevan.

The Centers are an example of a unique partnership between the state,
civil society and international community, and will help promote the
principles of Aarhus Convention, which include access to information,
access to justice and public participation on environmental matters.

The Centers serve as a venue for the public and civil society to
organize environmental hearings. They also have environmental libraries
and advise and educate the public and civil society on their rights,
duties and relevant legislative processes.

"This month, Armenia celebrates the 5th anniversary of the first public
environmental information Center. It was the first of its kind in
the OSCE region. We welcome the efforts of the Armenian authorities,
which have put Armenia at the forefront of the "Aarhus movement,"
said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office.

"Promoting public’s environmental rights is important for ensuring
sustainable development in the country. I believe that the three new
centers will contribute to promoting implementation of the Aarhus
Convention in Armenia and enhance public’s participation in addressing
environmental matters," Vardan Ayvazyan, Armenian Minister of Nature
Protection added.