Armenia "facing serious environmental threats because of Azerbaijan's war"January 18, 2021 - 19:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Minister of Environment Romanos Petrosyan has sent a letter to the Executive Secretaries of Environmental Conventions, international organizations and partners, drawing their attention to the dire consequences of the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan in September. According the Minister, at this stage it is impossible to manage the consequences of the war single-handedly. Petrosyan urged the international community to get involved in the thorough assessment of the environmental damage in Armenia and help the country alleviate the critical situation in border areas. Petrosyan reminded that Azerbaijan used internationally-banned cluster munitions and weapons containing white phosphorus or termites against the civilian population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). "Such actions have caused irreparable damage to the environment, from large-scale forest fires to poisoning of air, soil, water, flora and fauna," the Minister wrote in his letter. "Armenia is facing a high risk of environmental hazards, in particular, loss of forested areas, forest degradation, increased risk of forest fires. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |