RA Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan met with Mr. Aristomene Varoudakis, World Bank Armenia Country Manager, to discuss the prospects of water system reform, strategic issues and possibilities of further cooperation, the Ministry’s press office reported.

“The water system is managed by 3 foreign operators (5 companies), implementing different tariff policies,” Minister Gevorgyan said, adding that 500 communities throughout the republic are not served by any operator.

He also informed that during a meeting in Washington, the WB stated improvement in Armenia's water system management.

In discussion of the issue of lands demanding extra irrigation, Mr. Varoudakis said the WB will carry out essential research and submit a conclusion till mid-year.

It was also decided to organize an international conference on water industry which will bring together delegations from different countries in autumn 2010.