Administrative Court Rejects Lawsuit to Nullify Amulsar Project EIA Expert Conclusion

‘Lydian International’ has commented on the decision of the Administrative Court of Armenia, which dismissed the lawsuit filed against the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia seeking to declare the expert conclusion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from April 2016 regarding the Amulsar project null and void. The court's rationale is significant in the context of the ongoing illegalities surrounding the Amulsar project, reports ‘Lydian Armenia’.

According to the statement issued by the company, “The alleged 'new environmental factors' proposed by a group of individuals could serve as a basis for nullifying the EIA expert conclusion. By rejecting the lawsuit, the Administrative Court clearly states that the presented evidence does not constitute 'new environmental factors' and cannot serve as a basis for declaring the current EIA expert conclusion null and void.”

Specifically, the court addressed:

1. Disputed expert conclusion provided by ‘Elard’ commissioned by the Investigative Committee of Armenia regarding the Amulsar project,
2. Thirteen points presented by the Minister of Environment to the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister on September 5, which could serve as a basis for a new EIA,
3. The results of an independent examination of the Amulsar project commissioned by Harut Bronozian.

Edward Sellers, the acting President and CEO of ‘Lydian International’, commented on the matter, stating, “This news is particularly important concerning the credibility of the disputed report by ‘Elard’ and the thirteen points presented by the Minister of Environment. ‘Lydian’s’ EIA meets Armenian and international standards and has been prepared in accordance with best international practices.

“We appreciate that the Court confirmed the legality of the EIA. The lawsuit presented is yet another attempt to obstruct ‘Lydian’s’ legal right to develop and implement the Amulsar project.”

“The Prime Minister of Armenia has repeatedly stated that there is no legal basis to hinder ‘Lydian’ from completing the construction and operation of the Amulsar project, which is in the interest of the state. The Prime Minister has called on those illegally blocking access roads to Amulsar to unblock them and restore free access to the project area. However, the illegal blocking of roads continues to this day.”