OSCE welcomes entry into force of Aarhus Convention in Armenia

YEREVAN, 1 November 2001 (OSCE) - The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has become legally binding for all seventeen Parties out of 40 signatory States on 30 October. According to the Convention's article 20 (1), the date of its entrance into force is fixed as for the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the sixteenth note of ratification. It may be of symbolic meaning that this sixteenth note has been deposited by Armenia.

In its political work, the OSCE Office in Yerevan has been promoting the ratification and implementation of this convention. At the initiative of environmental groups, the office took the lead in campaigning for the convention through a series of round tables and bilateral meetings with the leadership of various Standing Parliamentary Committees, the Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, environmental protection organizations as well as international organizations. As a result of these concerted efforts, the Convention was ratified by the National Assembly in May 2001 and later signed by the President of Armenia.

"The process of ratification is a brilliant example of co-operation between international organizations and non-governmental organizations with the Armenian authorities,"-said Ambassador Roy Reeve, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "It creates ample opportunities for regional co-operation between the countries of the Southern Caucasus". According to Valery Tkachuk, acting UN Resident Co-ordinator of Armenia, "The ratification of this convention is yet another step towards the democratization of society in Armenia".

On this occasion, a joint press conference by the United Nations and the OSCE has been organized in Armenia, with the participation of representatives from the Standing Parliamentary Committee of the National Assembly, the Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection, leading environmental groups, and the mass media.

"The ratification of the Convention places serious responsibility on the Armenian Government and stipulates public access to the control of the environment", said Shavarsh Kocharian, the Head of the Parliamentary Standing Commission for Science, Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sport. "From now on, any Armenian citizen has the right to prove by law that certain legislative acts are environmentally adverse."

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, economic and environmental aspects of security and stability.