OSCE Office presents publication on environmental legislation in Armenia

YEREVAN, 31 August 2005 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan and the NGONGO
non-governmental organization Environmental Public Advocacy Centre (EPAC) yesterday presented a publication on the existing Armenian environmental legislation.

"This publication will contribute to a greater awareness of legislation amongst the population, which is key for its effective implementation", said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The book, entitled "Environmental Law of the Republic of Armenia", which is a compilation of existing Armenian environmental legislation, fills the present information gap. It is primarily intended to serve as a resource book for legislators, judges, lawyers and government staff -- the decision-makers in the fields of environmental protection and human rights. The book can also be used by all members of the general public with an interest in environmental legislation.

Aida Iskoyan, President of EPAC and editor of the book, emphasized that the publication will contribute to the implementation of the main principles of the Aarhus Convention in Armenia, such as access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.

Around 30 representatives from the National Assembly, Government, Prosecutor's Office, Constitutional Court, and civil society participated in the discussion, following the book presentation and underlined the importance of such a publication in their daily work.

Implementation of the Aarhus Convention is a priority of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. One of the immediate steps after ratification by Armenia in 2001 was to establish a Public Environmental Information Centre (known as the Aarhus Centre) in 2002, supported by the OSCE Office, the Ministry of Nature Protection, civil society and the international community. The Office intends to open regional Aarhus Centres in coming months.