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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan introduced newly appointed Minister Romanos Petrosyan to the staff of the Ministry of Environment, the government press service reported.

The Premier congratulated Mr. Petrosyan on his appointment and thanked Erik Grigoryan for his valuable efforts as Minister of Nature Protection and then as Minister of Environment.

“Mr. Petrosyan is being transferred from the post of Kotayk Marz Governor. We should state that he lived up to his mission and carried out effective activities as Marz Governor. And we have to express hope and confidence that his efforts will be as effective or perhaps more effective in the capacity of Minister of Environment,” said Pashinyan.

Speaking of the country’s environmental policy, Pashinyan said there are  sometimes extreme approaches to the environment or nature not only in Armenia, but also around the globe. “On the one hand, we can see nature worship; while on the other hand, we are faced with complete contempt for nature. And our task is to find such a balanced approach between nature and human civilization that could offset the existing contradiction,” said the PM

The Premier emphasized that the Government Program is based on the concept of Green Armenia. In other words, the Executive envisions Armenia as a country that meets the highest environmental standards. And the biggest challenges start from everyday life and end at the industrial level in this sphere.

“Our daily life, our industry, and our mining industry must meet such standards as we can call balanced. To say that we should give up the use of natural resources altogether is actually not reasonable, and even impossible. But on the other hand, we cannot go the way of environmental disasters: it is not the right path, besides we will not allow it,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

Coming to the results registered in recent years, Nikol Pashinyan noted that during Erik Grigoryan’s tenure, poaching considerably decreased in Armenia. He mentioned the fact of serious, tangible success in terms of forest protection.

“While it is true that environmental problems develop over several years, in the meantime nature responds very quickly to the steps taken to protect it. Environment is also important from the point of view of Armenia’s political, tourism and economic image. This is a strategic direction, and here we must achieve tangible success,” the Prime Minister said.

Armenia’s transformation until 2050, which states that doubling Armenia's forested areas is a strategic issue,” the Premier said.