OSCE Office presents study on development of Armenia's remote Syunik province

KAPAN, ARMENIA, 10 December 2004 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan yesterday released the report of a year-long study of the social-economic development of Armenia's most remote province, Syunik.

The paper was presented at a meeting in the capital of Syunik, Kapan at an event which brought together some 75 state and local officials, as well as representatives of small and medium-size businesses, NGOs and international organizations.

The study began a year ago when the OSCE Office organized a forum where representatives of the province gathered to discuss the current situation and problems facing the region, and outlined potential solutions. A working group was organized to assist a professional consulting company in preparing the study.

"This study is the first step on a long path towards turning Syunik province into a flourishing region and I am sure that we will walk along that path hand-in-hand," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office.

Souren Khachatryan, Governor of the province, said: "This study will serve as a guidebook for everyone who will work on the development of our province. We also greatly rely on the OSCE's assistance in implementing the recommendations contained in the document".

Another publication, the "Syunik Yellow Pages," a business directory, produced with the support of the OSCE Office, was also presented at the event.