If necessary, I’ll immediately stand next to the activists fighting against operation of the Amulsar gold mine. This is what deputy of the My Step faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Sofya Hovsepyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“I returned to Armenia yesterday, and if necessary, I’ll immediately stand next to the activists,” she said.

The deputy stated that she is not satisfied with the results of the audit for the Amulsar gold mine and believes the audit wasn’t multifaceted.

“Of course, I can’t be satisfied because it’s clear that there was no multifaceted expert examination. The risks that will emerge after operation of the gold mine can’t be managed in any way because just the fact that a mine will be operated in the area of resorts is already a risk.

The next issue is Lake Sevan, which is the greatest wealth of Armenia, and if there is a small risk, we don’t have the right to overlook it. In addition, Armenia will receive very small profit from the mine operation, and it will expose our strategic lands and waters to risks, while Lydian Armenia and its beneficiaries will have superprofit by making the country face risks,” she said.

When asked if she will continue to be a member of the My Step faction, if the mine is operated, Hovsepyan said the following: “I believe this is the least important issue now. Therefore, I prefer to see the government, parliament and people combine efforts and find the best solution that will benefit every citizen and will help show our country as a country of progressive people, not as a country where people can search for gold.”