OSCE, Armenian officials discuss regional projects in Syunik

YEREVAN, 18 July 2008 - Armen Gevorkyan, Armenian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration, visited the OSCE Presence in Syunik today to get first-hand information on projects that are underway with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The OSCE Presence in Syunik presented a new initiative aimed at helping local entrepreneurs start their own businesses. They also discussed an OSCE-initiated renewable energy project that emphasizes small-scale hydropower options involving the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.

Perspectives for co-operation on a local level between the SME Development National Centre and the OSCE Presence in Syunik, as well as another OSCE project focusing on economic empowerment of Syunik women and co-operation to support sustainable economic development and democracy in Armenia, were discussed.

Corporate social responsibility, and working with local mining companies in particular, is also a priority of the OSCE's work in the province, said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

"The OSCE has a major task ahead, to act as a catalyst for corporate social responsibility initiatives, and to strengthen the big mining companies' interaction and co-operation with the local population, " said Kapinos. "I believe that these efforts, as well as support to the SME sector, will benefit the socio-economic development of the Syunik province."

The Vice Prime Minister said he took note of the issues raised by the Office and expressed readiness to enhance co-operation on follow up activities.

The activities of the anti-corruption reception centres operating in Yerevan and in the Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces were also presented during the visit. The centres provide advice to citizens to minimize corruption risks in areas including with local self-government bodies, public services, issues covered by the civil and administrative law.

The Minister also met representatives of the local Public Environmental Information (Aarhus) Centres.