In this regard, RA Environment Ministry replied on 21.07.2020:
“Since 2008, the signature and ratification of the Bern Convention, Armenia has been working on setting-up of the Emerald Network according to the Bern Convention Resolutions No. 4 (1994) and No. 6(1998). Accordingly, in 2017 the "Emerald Network" new list of candidate sites for Armenia was presented to the Secretariat of the Convention.
The submitted list of candidate sites was developed jointly by specialists and experts, and it was suggested both- to enlarge the borders of previously submitted sites and include new ones. As a result, the new list of candidate sites constituted 23 potential sites with more than 1 million ha of area, which comprises 34,7 % of the entire territory of the Republic of Armenia including "Djermuk" area, "Sevan" National park, "Gorhajk" area and other sites where major industrial and economic activities are underway.
The abovementioned list of candidate sites was not officially agreed neither with the Ministry of Environment (formerly Ministry of Nature Protection), nor circulated with other relevant state national authorities prior to submission to the Secretariat of the Bern Convention. We are currently investigating this procedural breach and will consecutively be taking respective measures to address it.
I would like to also note that a number of experts and specialists who participated in the project for the development of the candidate sites were contractually engaged as experts in the development of the EIA of the Lydian Armenia's Amulsar Gold Mine Project. This circumstance is also subject to further inquiry by the Ministry and possibly other relevant authorities.
In light of this and considering the fact that during different events organized within the framework of Convention the issue of revision of the Emerald Network candidate sites was discussed, the Ministry of Environment has initiated review and optimization of the previously submitted list.
In order to ensure evidence-based, rigorous and relevant data pertaining to candidate sites, additional and extensive field work is required. After the mentioned activities are implemented the Ministry of Environment will intern and officially communicate the optimized list of candidate sites of Emerald Network to the Secretariat of the Convention.
Allow me to once again to reiterate that we are committed to our obligations under the Bern Convention and we are ready to provide any additional information regarding this issue”.
It should be mentioned that the position of RA Environment Ministry was discussed at the second Bureau Meeting to be held on 15-16 September, 2020.
Naturally, the Armenian government, finding itself in a difficult political and economic situation, is looking for a way out, and finds it in investments in Amulsar project. At the same time, it does not take into account that the lobbyists of Amulsar project have nothing to do with state interests, the course taken for integration with the European community, and the with responsibility for fulfilling international obligations.
The government should realize that no matter how much Amulsar project costs, this money is too small in comparison with oil and gas money, and the commercialization of Amulsar project will bring neither political nor economic benefits. On the contrary, we must focus on European priorities, the image of a responsible actor in the international arena, a defender of European values. Only in this field can we gain political weight and the likelihood that we will be supported by the European community, and not by a separate group of people interested only in profits.
March 29, 2021 at 18:26