NEW PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL CENTERS TO BE OPENED IN THREE ARMENIAN REGIONS

Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 16 2007

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. So called Orkhus centers, new centers
of public environmental control are to be opened in the regions of
Kotayk, Shirak and Gegharkunik, Armenia. The Armenian Environmental
Ministry, OSCE Yerevan Office and the regional administrations signed
the corresponding memoranda of understanding in Yerevan Wednesday.

The Orkhus centers are opened in continuation of implementation of
Orkhus Convention Armenia joined in 2001, Armenian Environmental
Minister Vardan Ayvazian said.

He reminded that similar memoranda about the opening of Orkhus centers
were signed with the authorities of Siunik, Lori and Tavush regions
in October 2005.

"Today the Orkhus centers work successfully, analyze various
environmental problems and suggest solutions. The establishment of
new Orkhus centers will create basis for harmonious dialogue between
the centers, self-government bodies and national authorities," the
Minister said.

Ayvazian expressed hope that the opening of the centers will largely
facilitate intensification of environmental policy and expansion of
the network of Orkhus centers.

According to the Head of OSCE Yerevan Office Vladimir Priakhin,
extensive preparatory work preceded the signing of the memorandum.

"The centers will enlarge the existing network of Orkhus centers in
Yerevan, Lori, Tavush, Dilijan, Ijevan, Siunik, Goris and Kapan. The
Orkhus movement has great and deep traditions in Armenia – the first
such centers in OSCE countries were opened in Armenia," Priakhin said
adding that the five-year old Orkhus movement in Armenia follows a
smooth and forward course.

Priakhin pointed out that the opening of three new Orkhus centers in
Armenia will become a basis of intensive cooperation between the public
and the country’s Environmental Ministry The first Orkhus center was
opened in Yerevan in 2002. Currently Orkhus centers operate in more
than a half of the Armenian regions.