Balanced Interests of Armenia Demand Political Will on Amulsar Mine Issue, Says Shirak Buniatyan

During a meeting with Lydian representatives, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan once again emphasized that the balanced interest of the Republic of Armenia, including the affected communities, is paramount for him and his government, and all decisions will be made in this context.

Shirak Buniatyan, an environmental activist and resident of Jermuk, stated on his Facebook page that Armenia's balanced interest requires primarily the preservation of nature, which would be endangered by the metallic mine at Amulsar.

He specifically wrote: “The balanced interest of Armenia demands that we do not treat our own country as a foreign land and reject short-term and risky investments. The balanced interest of Armenia requires us to listen to the people's demands and not forcibly replace a nearly 70-year-old mineral water spa sector with a mining industry.”

Buniatyan continued, “The balanced interest of Armenia requires respect for the over 3,000 signatures gathered by the residents of Jermuk for the referendum. It requires honoring the position of the vast majority of the Armenian people. It demands that the thousands of permanent jobs existing in the spa, hotel, and bottled mineral water sector in Jermuk not be replaced by a few hundred temporary jobs.

Let’s not forget that Jermuk is also a major market for agricultural products, not only for the surrounding communities but for many others as well. People are able to sell their products competitively in Jermuk instead of having to travel to Yerevan.

The balanced interest of Armenia demands that you finally demonstrate political will and provide a solution to this issue. We cannot allow compatriots, relatives, neighbors, and blood relatives to polarize and even become adversaries based on their differing views.”