YEREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. A memorandum on mutual understanding was sined on May 16 among the representatives of the OSCE Yerevan Office, RA Ministry of Nature Protection and Governor's Offices of Kotayk, Shirak and Gegharkunik. According to this memorandum, new public centers on nature protection information (Aarhus) will open in Gyumri, Hrazdan and Gavar. To recap, centers of the mentioned organization function in the cities of Yerevan, Varadzor, Goris, Kapan, Dilijan, Ijevan still since 2002. The goal of activity of the Aarhus centers is to stimulate accessibility of the nature protection information, public participation in the nature protection issues and accessibility of justice. The society will be given at the centers free consultation concerning their rights, obligations and corresponding legislation. RA Minister of Nature Protection Vardan Ayvazian attached importance to the initiative of opening centers, mentioning that "according to the Aarhus programs, great attention will be paid to problems of nature protection security as well, particularly, decomposition of lands, saltation and water resources." Head of the OSCE Yerevan Office, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin mentioned: "Armenia is now the leader of the Aarhus movement quickly developing in the OSCE territory." The triglot (Armenian, English, Russian) web site of the Aarhus centers was also opened during the event. Its address is http://www.armaarhus.am.

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