YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The holding of the 15th European and national astronomical forum in Yerevan bears evidence that the Armenian astronomy is at a very high level today, the co-chairman of the Armenian Astronomical Company Areg Mikaelian stated at the August 28 press conference. According to him, about 300 astronomers from 37 countries participated in the forum held on August 20-25. 8 conferences and 6 sittings took place in parallel with this forum. All important problems of astrophysics were discussed at the forum "Our Corner Cosmos". Director of the Byurakan Observatory Hayk Harutyunian said that Armenia, a country that made a significant contribution to astronomy, is continuing to be a member of the European Astronomical Company even though it has not paid its membership fees amounting to only 2.5 thousand USD annually for 15 years, whereas Azerbaijan and Georgia were deprived of their membership right for this reason. In the words of H. Harutyunian, in Armenia the state does not give enough attention to culture and science. In his opinion, there are state establishments and institutions whose problems should be solved by the state. Whereas, according to H. Harutyunian, most receiving devices of the Byurakan observatory have been purchased with the assistance of their foreign partners. He noted that the Byurakan observatory has the opportunity and potential for becoming a regional scientific and educational center.

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