COMMISSION FORMED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF LAKE SEVAN

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[04:39 pm] 26 December, 2008

On December 25 Serzh Sargsyan signed an order on establishing a
commission dealing with the issues of Lake Sevan. The order sets the
structure of the Commission.

Vladimir Movsisyan, Executive Director of the Forest Reforestation and
Development Fund has been appointed President of the Commission. Yuri
Javadyan, Director of the Hayjrnakhagits Institute is the Vice
President.

Today the President of the Republic held working consultations with
members of the Commission.

Noting that the consultations are aimed at launching the activity of
the Commission and coordinating its principles, Mr. Sargsyan said:
"I do not consider it necessary to dwell on the issue of importance of
Lake Sevan for Armenia. The issues connected with Sevan are of vital
importance for us. It is directly or indirectly linked to a number of
spheres – environmental protection, agriculture, energy, fish breeding,
drinking water, etc. It’s easier to say what it is not connected with.

Without any exaggeration, Sevan is one of the most valuable resources
of Armenia, and its importance will only be growing during the years
to come. We must be able to properly preserve and develop this gift
of nature. On the other hand, we should be able to make a reasonable
and full use of it. It is our duty.

I should note with appreciation that a great work has been done in
the direction of protecting Sevan over the past ten years. Today we
must make greater efforts to solve the issues Sevan faces. I think
the Commission is going to become a powerful engine of it. These are
my expectations. We must be able to achieve essential results in this
direction in 2009."

Serzh Sargsyan pointed to several issues that should be the main task
of the commission. He said it’s necessary to control all kinds of
economic activity that can have a negative influence on the ecosystem
of the lake.

President of the commission, Executive Director of the Forest
Reforestation and Development Fund Vladimir Movsisyan said the
establishment of such commission speaks about the resoluteness of
the Armenian authorities to solve the existing problems. According
to Vladimir Movsisyan, members of the Commission are professionals,
who have the experience and ability to solve the issues.