2024-08-07 04:28:32
The Union of Miners and Metallurgists of Armenia expresses deep concern about the targeting of our country’s mining sector, spread of disinformation, defamatory and false accusations outside and inside Armenia, which may have serious consequences for Armenia’s economic stability.
“The member organizations of the Union have a good idea of the problems of the sector and are pursuing the implementation of the best solutions.
In recent years, Armenia’s mining industry has made significant progress in terms of sustainable management. We did not expect that Armenian environmental organizations would notice or encourage these changes. But at the very least, we hoped that due to purely national interests, caution would be shown not to support the implementation of Azerbaijan’s political goals by presenting Armenia as a “regional disaster” and preventing investments to our country.
There are many examples. The most recent are the consolidated statements made by Azerbaijani organizations and officials against the mining sector of Armenia, in which, unfortunately, the main reference is made to Armenian organizations. Azerbaijan already openly supports Armenian environmental organizations in the fight against the sector.
It is obvious that even if some Armenian NGOs had no such intention, they will be used and will be used against the economy of our country. Meanwhile, experts in the field have repeatedly warned Armenian NGOs about such a turn. Another example is the recent research done by some Czech organization in cooperation with two Armenian environmental non-governmental organizations in the mining regions of Armenia.
Concerns were raised from the Armenian expert circles both about the possible quality of that organization’s research and the publication of those unverified “results” that could be used by unfriendly countries. And, indeed, the publication of the results of that “research” was immediately followed by active publications of the pro-Azerbaijani press, with which they try to present Armenia as an environmental hell, and the Armenian mining industry as a source of pollution in the region.
It is known that Azerbaijan is trying to weaken Armenia’s economy by all possible means. We regret to remind you of the Yeraskh metallurgical plant project. Azerbaijan invested all its resources in aborting that project, which led to the fact that the factory was moved, causing millions of dollars in damage to our economy.
The Metsamor nuclear power plant, Kapan, Kajaran combines, the still non-functioning Amulsar mine, the Ararat gold extraction plant, and Teghut are the constant targets of Azerbaijan with mostly absurd, obviously false and dangerous accusations, most of which, unfortunately, are cited by representatives of the Armenian NGO sector.
By writing letters to international courts with amazing organization, a number of Armenian non-governmental organizations consistently support Azerbaijan’s efforts to prevent the entry of investments into Armenia.
We do not intend to limit anyone’s right to express concerns. However, we would like to remind you that non-professional evaluations, groundless accusations, and misinformation provide fertile ground for the propaganda resources of Azerbaijan, questioning the prospect of having a responsible and modern mining industry in our country.
Once again, we have to call for maximum caution in public statements, not to make defamatory statements, to which organizations in the field are forced to respond with lawsuits, including in the interest of the country,” the statement reads.