Financial Investment Should Be Made Not in the Center, but in Small Settlements: Papikyan

Surens Papikyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, conducted a working consultation today at the marzpetaran of Syunik Province with community leaders and heads of administrative districts during his two-day working visit.

The consultation focused on priority issues related to territorial administration and local self-government. The Deputy Ministers of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Bagrat Badalyan and Hakob Vardanyan, as well as the Governor of Syunik Province, Hunan Poghosyan, also participated.

While discussing large-scale works aimed at improving energy and road infrastructure in the province, Minister Papikyan emphasized that overcoming diverse and vital issues for the state is directly dependent on the coordinated cooperation among the national, provincial, and community governance levels.

He also addressed the continuity of the community unification process, noting that the positive trend indicators recorded in the communities of Syunik Province as a result of consolidation testify to the effectiveness of the reform and can serve as an example for yet-to-be-unified communities. “With the experience of Syunik Province, we witness how the long-accumulated problems in small communities find their solutions within larger communities. It is noteworthy that community leaders recognize that financial investment must first be made not in the center but in small settlements to ensure their accelerated development,” said Suren Papikyan.

The minister discussed with representatives of local self-governing bodies the progress of subsidy projects aimed at developing the economic and social infrastructure of communities and issues related to the qualitative indicators of ongoing construction works. He welcomed the active participation of Syunik Province in the number of submitted program applications, yet expressed concern about the observed passivity among communities regarding the timely submission of these program applications.

“Participation in subsidy programs is an indicator of the community's effectiveness. In this regard, community leaders should be more interested and demonstrate higher initiative,” the minister stated.

Suren Papikyan also informed the attendees that comprehensive gasification is planned to be carried out in Meghri soon. In 2020, the renovation of a 12.5 km road section from Tatev to Kapan is also planned.

During the consultation, the minister answered a number of sectoral important questions from the attendees. Summarizing the meeting, he once again emphasized the need for unity in implementing programs of utmost significance for the state and the formation of a complementary partnership environment.

The minister also visited the Kapan airport under construction with the funding of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine and examined the progress of the construction works.