Tuesday, 5 September 2006
Today RA National Water Council has met, presided at by council chairman, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.
The Council heard and approved the report on the activities carried out in 2004-2005. The meeting agenda also included review of current issues of topical interest. Council Secretary Hovannes Tokmajyan reported that the quasi-totality of planned action had been completed for the period under review. In particular, the pace of legislative reforms had been discussed and the draft law on the key principles of national water policy was approved, which as subsequently submitted to the National Assembly by the Government for consideration, was adopted as a law. Also, approved was the scheme for safety measures to implement at hydro-technical facilities and the concept note on prospective dam engineering in Armenia. According to the speaker, during the period under review, the Council had monitored the process of drafting a national water program, the observance of water-saving measures and basic drinking water supply standards.
The meeting has also discussed questions relating to the use of underground water resources, exploitation of deep wells and quality survey for surface waters. A series of burning issues were reported in this sphere with the concerned public entities having been directed accordingly. RA Ministry of Environmental Protection and RA Chief Sanitary Officer were told to provide information on the quality of potable water in the country and submit proposals on water quality improvements in Aragatsotni marz.
Whereas the National Water Council has completed its chief mission for the past period by substantiating the need of having a national water program, promoting the passing of relevant legislation and abidance by national water policies, as well as considering that the status of the State Water Committee had changed to integrate this body with RA Ministry of Territorial Administration, it has been decided to examine shortly the possibility of cessation of NWC operations.
In closing, head of RA Government Staff Department of Urban Development and Natural Resources Sirekan Ohanyan was elected to be new secretary of RA National Water Council.
