Green activists have refused to meet with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
To recall, on March 25 Head of the Government Staff - Minister Vache Gabrielyan offered the activists to meet with the prime minister after they tried to break the international conference "Establishment of Responsible Mining Industry in Armenia: Opportunities and Challenges." They chanted "Shame!" "Away from Armenia!" protesting against environment pollution. Furthermore, the activists offered a glass of river water to Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan.
Later on 26 March, in his speech at the conference "Establishment of Responsible Mining Industry in Armenia: Opportunities and Challenges," activist Levon Galstyan said they declined the offer to meet with the prime minister of a number of reasons. Particularly, he said, activists have sent nearly 50 suggestions and proposals related to environment protection to the Government over the last years. And nearly all the offers were neglected.
"In such small country like Armenia, only several polymetalic mines can be developed under strict environmental control. Meanwhile, they exploit 21 mines at present and another 67 are at the stage of exploration," Galstyan said.
He said that the activists will meet with the prime minister only when mining industry in Armenia finally complies with the legislation.