OSCE Office to open its first presence in Armenian province

YEREVAN, 9 June 2006 - The Head of the OSCE Office Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin and Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian today signed an additional protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding between the OSCE and Armenia which creates the legal basis for establishing presences to implement OSCE programmes in regions of Armenia. 

An on-site presence in Kapan, the capital of Syunik, Armenia's most remote region, focusing on developing and implementing economic and environmental projects, will be opened by the OSCE Office in Yerevan at the end of June.

"Strengthening socio-economic stability is one of the key factors for sustainable development and security," said Ambassador Pryakhin. "We look forward to implementing new projects in Syunik province in order to make a greater contribution to the social, economic and environmental development of the region."

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said: "The Government pays special attention to the development of Armenian regions and rural areas, and we are grateful to the OSCE for assisting in this matter. Today's event marks a new stage of co-operation between Armenia and OSCE."

In 2004, with the help of the OSCE Office, a year-long study of the socio-economic development of Syunik province was completed. The paper revealed major social and economic problems in the region, identified priorities and outlined potential business opportunities.