Gagik Makaryan: Armenia cannot boast of achievements in the sphere of rational use of natural resources

ArmInfo. Armenia cannot boast of achievements in the field of rational use of natural resources. Economist, chairman of the Union of Employers of Armenia Gagik Makaryan, expressed such an opinion on January 17.

Gagik Makaryan recalled that in 2017 Armenia planned harmonization of 17 main provisions of the UN Conventions. However, for today the use of legal instruments to combat illegal fishing and poaching, as well as tasks related to the effective management of forest resources and agricultural lands, has not been regulated. At a low level is also the scope of management of solid domestic waste. Prospects for development of the economist sees in the framework of the concluded in November 2017 framework agreement with the EU. "In 2017 Armenia did not record significant successes in the sphere of effective use of natural resources," he said.

As for ensuring energy security, then, as stated by Makaryan, today in Armenia serious investments are made in the system of electrical networks. Negotiations on the construction of large hydroelectric power stations are under way, renewable energy sources, in particular, solar energy, are actively developing.  "Thus, Armenia is taking certain steps towards the formation of a self-sufficient energy system," concluded Gagik Makaryan.

The Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia Ashot Manukyan said at a 51st meeting of the CIS Electric Power Council in Tashkent on November 4 that the country is taking consistent steps to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the energy balance. Earlier, Armenia adopted the "Concept for Ensuring Armenia's Energy Security". According to it, by 2020 renewable sources will cover 20% of all consumed energy in Armenia, and by 2026 - all 50%.