Armavir Regional Head's Response to EcoLur's Proposal on Organizing Discussion on ANPP

EcoLur Informational NGO applied to Armavir Regional Head Edward Hovhannisyan with a proposal to organize a discussion on the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP), the safety of the population in the affected area, and social assistance.

On May 13, 20212, Inga Zarafyan, President of EcoLur Informational NGO, met with Arnak Avetisyan, Deputy Governor of Armavir, and Arthur Ayvazyan, Head of the Agriculture Department of Regional Municipality.

The interim report of the social survey conducted in the communities in the impact zone of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the decisions of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in connection with the lifetime extension of the ANPP second power unit and the construction of a new power unit were presented at the meeting. Special attention was paid to the issues of communities located at a distance of 5-10 km from the ANPP, raising the awareness of local self-governments, participation in the decision-making process, dialogue with the government and the ANPP leadership.

"The settlements in the affected area of the ANPP should receive a special status, which will allow them to protect their rights, receive the necessary information on radiation safety, and use socio-economic assistance," Inga Zarafyan said and outlined that the discussion with the participation of all stakeholders will grant an opportunity to discuss these issues on one platform and figure out the solutions.

Armavir Deputy Regional Head Arnak Avetisyan mentioned that they would discuss this proposal with the regional head. "We will present all this to the regional head, the issues on the agenda, we will discuss proposals related to cooperation," he said.

On May 19, Armavir Regional Head Edward Hovhannisyan responded to EcoLur's proposal with a letter. "In order to comprehensively discuss the presented issues and show more sound approaches, we find it expedient to refer to the planned discussion after the possible instructions to be received from the RA Government or the decisions reached," the reply letter of the Armavir regional head says.

In this regard, "EcoLur" Informational NGO is going to apply to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, proposing to organize a discussion in Amavir Regional Municipality.