Teghut Defense Group, of which Transparency International Anti-corruption Center is a member, came up with a statement which reads, "In accordance with Article 10 of the Republic of Armenia Constitution "The state shall ensure the protection and reproduction of the environment and the reasonable utilization of natural resources". The Republic of Armenia has joined a series of international environmental conventions and adoped a national environmental action plan. The state structures responsible for the environmental protection are getting hundreds of millions of dollars from the foreign organizations every year and submit to those reports on the fulfillment of obligations by the country.

This policy and activities are implemented also within the context of sustainable development adopted by our country, the purpose of which is to maintain a balanced approach through consideration of social and environmental issues in the decision-making related to the economic development of the country. This concept aims to improve the welfare of the society and its individual members, also guaranteeing satisfaction of the needs of future generations.

Today, in Armenia, the economic development takes place in a non-sustainable way. The economic development and the well being of people are strongly dependent on the exploitation of natural resources. Mines, water resources, soil, forests, flora and fauna are being carelessly and rapidly exhausted with justification of the increase of GDP. This practice is actually based on the private interests of a group of people and hinders the development of other areas of the economy that have certain prospects for the competitive advantage of the country.

Day by day there are expanded intitiatives to cover the territory of the country with new open mines and millions of tones of tailings of hazardous materials. Forest loss results in intensified desertification and more frequent landslides. Surface and underground water are sacrificed to irrational growth of hydropower and fish-farming industries. Increase of hunting and the economic activities damage the flora and fauna of the country. Construction patterns in cities increase the seismic risks and the level of urban stress. People emigrate from their homeland realizing that just in a few dozens of years their children will not have an adequate environment to live in, there will not be resources to develop the country and hence there will be no secure future for generations.

The Armenian authorities do not take any step to improve the situation. Complains of citizens and experts remain unanswered and "vox clamantis in deserto." Exploitation of natural resources in the country happens by the engagement, awareness, permission and legalization of high level officials. Country is governed by the "gang rule" and there is complete impunity for illegal acts.

We remind you that the management of natural resources for the development of the country and the enhancement of the public welfare is the primary obligation of the government of each country. The failure of fulfilling this obligation by respective authorities reinforces the atmosphere of social injustice and intolerance and serves as an important factor for formation of the public demand to change the government of the country."

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