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American eco-activist urges Armenia to cooperate with international NGOs on mining industry

31 January 2024 18:10 (UTC +04:00)

The Armenian Government and its mining industry companies should open their doors to international experts and create conditions to check the activities of these enterprises, said American eco-activist Matt Garnett, a Michigan State University student, APA reports.

The eco-activist noted that Armenia has committed serious environmental damage in the territories of Azerbaijan during its time of the illegal occupation of Garabagh and today as well, Armenia continues its illegal actions that damage the environment in the region: “Today, we express our deep concern over the irresponsible and careless actions of the Republic of Armenia in the South Caucasus. For instance, during the period of its illegal occupation of Garabagh, Armenia polluted the rivers flowing to other areas of Azerbaijan. There’s also the danger of Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant."

According to him, environmental activists and experts stress that it is one of the most dangerous nuclear power plants in the world and today: "Armenia refuses to cease its activity. United Nations classifies a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental human right. At the time of the global community converging around the UN for trying to solve environmental problems, Armenia's actions are at odds with these efforts, as well as with the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, also known as the Espoo Convention. Armenia, should protect the environment more, and fulfill its obligations arising from the international conventions it has joined while taking into consideration that the upcoming COP29 summit will be hosted in the South Caucasus, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. We urge the Armenian Government and its private companies operating in the mining industry of Armenia to open their doors to international experts working in the field of ecology and healthcare, as well as to the NGOs from neighboring states and to create an opportunity for monitoring the activities of enterprises."