President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today held a consultation on the socioeconomic development of Armenia’s Syunik province. During the consultation, attended by the regional administration, the President stressed that several weeks ago he had the opportunity to see the effect of the work already implemented in the province. Specifically, the results of improvements in Kapan and development of industry and economy of the province were generally noticeable.

“You are aware of the hard situation in the mining and refining plants of the republic as a result of the fall in prices of metals in the international market. Of course, we must be grateful to the owners and staff of the plants, who continue their regular work with almost zero income. They need maximal support,” Sargsyan said.  

According to him, another direction with great potential is tourism: “Tatev – with its monastery and ropeway – is an attractive magnet of our country’s south. I’m sure, you are aware of the growth in the number of tourists coming to Tatev, both local and foreign. Their number has increased for several times. We must solve several issues. Specifically, link the touristic routes of Vayots Dzor and Syunik province, so that they become a single network.”

The President also attached importance to the preservation of the cultural monuments. The most important thing, according to him, is to exclude the interference upon one’s own initiative in the absence of projects. “Polluting the nature, especially round the monuments, is unacceptable,” he said.

In Sargsyan’s words, construction of the southern section of North-South Road Corridor – the largest project in the history of Armenia – will be launched next spring.

“The construction of $150 mln Agarak – Kajaran section will start in spring, and here we also need the support of the local self-government authorities and regional administration.  People must understand that the illegal constructions on that section of the road must get the corresponding assessment. Apart from this, the necessity of acquiring lands will  grow in the future.  Explanatory work should be carried out with people so that they don’t impede this important project which will also provide many workplaces.”  he said.