Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Syunik Province on a flight from Yerevan Zvartnots Airport. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan accompanied the Prime Minister.

Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan, Kapan Mayor Gevorg Parsyan and other officials welcomed the Prime Minister at Syunik Airport.

Nikol Pashinyan toured Syunik airport and familiarized himself with the created conditions.

On August 19, on the occasion of Kapan Day, there will be a Yerevan-Kapan presentational flight, after which regular flights are planned from next week. 

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During the consultation held in Kapan city chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the performance report 2022 and the progress of projects being implemented in the current year by Syunik regional administration were discussed.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Governor of Syunik Robert Ghukasyan, Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan and other officials participated in the consultation.

At the beginning of the consultation, before the discussion of the report, the Prime Minister stated that he wants to make the following note. "Today we piloted the Yerevan-Kapan air flight, we arrived in Kapan by plane. We think that we are ready to run regular Yerevan-Kapan flights. Our program is as follows. On August 19, there will be a presentational flight on the occasion of Kapan Day, after which there will be regular flights. In other words, citizens will have the opportunity to buy a plane ticket and use this transport. Of course, I have some observations related to the flight, the aircraft, but in the beginning, the citizens will also use it, we will listen to their feedback, and then, based on that, we will naturally improve it."

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan reported that Yerevan-Kapan regular flights will start from next week, and ticket sales schemes have been developed.

Moving on to the report, the officials first reported that the own incomes of the communities of Syunik region in 2022 were predicted at 2 billion 992 million AMD, but the actual performance was more than 3 billion AMD. In 2022, compared to 2021, the actual increase was 344.6 million AMD or 12.8 percent.

Information was presented on subsidy programs implemented in 2018-2022, according to which 109 subsidy programs were approved during the reporting period, amounting to 21.8 billion AMD, of which the state share was 12.9 billion AMD. In particular, 30 km of street paving, 64 km of water supply, 30 km of irrigation systems, lighting in 26 settlements, major repair of 22 kindergartens and other works were carried out.

Minister Gnel Sanosyan noted that within the framework of the North-South road project, construction works will also begin in Syunik in the near future, the tender for the implementation of which has already been completed.

It was also noted that in 2023, 24 subsidy programs were approved, amounting to 6.6 billion AMD, of which the state share is 4.1 billion AMD. In 2024, it is planned to implement 30 projects worth 11 billion AMD, of which the state share is 6.5 billion AMD.

It was reported that 3 new schools are currently being built in the region. During the previous year, partial modernization of property was carried out in 51 schools in the amount of 32.6 million AMD, partial improvement of buildings in 36 schools in the amount of 48.1 million AMD was carried out, ARMAT laboratory is operating in 46 schools.

In 58 of the 139 settlements of the region, there are 43 preschool educational institutions with 23 branches. 12 facilities are in need of major repair, 19 are in need of repair, 4 are currently being repaired.

It was noted that there are 20 milk processing plants in the region, of which 3 are in Kapan, 9 are in Goris, 3 are in Tegh, and 5 are in Sisian. There are 6 slaughterhouses in Syunik, 3 smart animal houses were built within the framework of the government programs. The total irrigated land area of the region is 8200 ha. The pastures cover 145 thousand ha of land, of which 36 thousand are used. Yes: The area of arable land in the region is 43.9 thousand ha, 82% of it is actually used.

It was reported that during the reporting period, 51 hectares of intensive orchards were established in Syunik, of which 22 hectares of fruit orchards and 3 hectares of asparagus gardens were established under the state support program. There are 4.5 hectares of greenhouse farms, 10 canning and bottling factories in the region.

In 2022, afforestation works on a total area of 216 ha were carried out in the region. Afforestation and other works were carried out in the region by "Hayantar" SNOC in 2022. a total of 40 ha area was afforested, a 1000 square meter greenhouse-nursery was built in Sisian community.

It was noted that there are 5 medical centers, 9 primary care centers, 1 neuropsychiatric dispensary, and 100 polyclinics in Syunik region. In 2022, 1191 births and 1109 deaths were registered in the region.

Summarizing the meeting, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that since 2018, the government has implemented investment projects worth more than 100 billion AMD in Syunik Province. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the importance of ensuring the continuous growth of the communities' own incomes, the development of local budgets, so that the volumes of subsidy programs continue to grow. The Prime Minister referred to the implementation of housing construction projects in Syunik Province, the implementation of resettlement projects for villages with small population, the construction of educational complexes, which must be equipped with new property, and the adjacent roads should be overhauled, the mining industry, the expansion of modern agriculture projects, the construction of reservoirs, the promotion of tourism, and gave relevant instructions.

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Within the scope of his visit to Syunik Province, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan got acquainted with the progress of investment projects of the construction of multi-apartment complexes implemented by the private sector in Kapan.

"Liashin" LLC is building two 13-story buildings with 94 apartments with an investment project of 700 million AMD. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
"New House" CJSC is building two 12-story apartment buildings with a total of 128 apartments within the framework of an investment program of 1.7 billion drams. The construction of one building is nearly completed, and the work of the other will be completed within the next year. The Prime Minister inquired about the issues related to the progress of the projects, the sale of apartments and emphasized that the Government will continue to encourage the implementation of such projects in the regions.

Nikol Pashinyan also visited the frontier post of the National Security Service in Kapan, got acquainted with the conditions for the servicemen.

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During his visit to Syunik Province, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan got acquainted with the completed and ongoing programs in the communities funded by the Government and subsidy programs.

Nikol Pashinyan's first stop was at the Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Combine. Alexander Belyaev, Executive Director of Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Combine met and accompanied the Head of the Government, who introduced the technological processes and presented the production volumes and upcoming plans. The Prime Minister attached particular importance to the introduction of new technologies in the combine and the implementation of steps towards the consistent solution of environmental problems. It was noted that the combine has 1200 jobs.

Then the Prime Minister met with residents of Agarak, discussed issues related to irrigation water, road construction, gas supply and the steps towards their solution.

Next, the Head of the Government got acquainted with the renovation works carried out in the Meghri kindergarten. The total cost of the subsidy program launched in 2020 was 323.8 million AMD, 40% of which was allocated from the community budget, 60% from the state budget. Since the kindergarten building is old and located on a swampy land, the Government will build a new kindergarten in Meghri, and a cooling system will be installed in the existing kindergarten for the time being.

The implemented program was presented to the Prime Minister at the "Loft-Meghri" pan-Armenian center for education, culture and youth development. The youth center was established with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. For the implementation of the project, the state allocated 25 million 348 thousand AMD to "Loft" NGO in the form of a grant used for the renovation of the center, as well as the provision of material and technical means. Within the framework of the contract, the "Loft" NGO will launch the substantive 5-year program of the center (2023-2027) without allocations, with its own funds and community involvement, for the benefit of the development and progress of the community's youth.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister got acquainted with the renovation works of the 8.24 km section of the M-2, Goris-Meghri-Iran border interstate highway in Kajaran, which are in the final stage. The total cost of the project is 1 billion 393 thousand AMD.

Nikol Pashinyan was also presented with the progress of the project to improve the energy efficiency of apartment buildings in the Kajaran community. 60% of the works have been completed. The total cost of the subsidy program launched in 2020 is 1 billion 631.5 million AMD, 30% of which was provided from the community budget, 70% from the state budget. As a result of the project, the energy efficiency of apartment buildings of Kajaran city will increase.

The Head of the Government also visited "Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine" CJSC. Expressing satisfaction with the cooperation with the company, the Prime Minister discussed with the latter's managers the plans for strategic development and efficiency improvement, which are about the construction of the metal smelter, the introduction of new and modern technologies, the raising of environmental standards to meet international standards, social responsibility towards the neighboring communities, etc.

The Prime Minister got acquainted with the completed construction works of the Tandzaver-Shurnukh road, the total cost of which was 1 billion 476 million 119 thousand AMD. 11 km of road was built.

Nikol Pashinyan's next stop was the construction site of 13 individual residential houses in Shurnukh settlement. The construction works are in progress, 80% of the works have been completed. The total cost of the project is 741 million AMD. As a result, 13 families will be settled in newly built houses. The Prime Minister emphasized the high-quality implementation of the works and their completion as soon as possible.

The completed reconstruction works of T-8 - Ltsen-Tatev local road were also presented to the Head of the Executive. It was noted that almost 8 billion AMD were spent for the reconstruction of the 19.89 km road, the funds were provided from the state budget. The construction works of the Ltsen-Shamb 6.15 km section are also completed. The total cost of the renovation works of the road was 1 billion 730 million AMD.

Nikol Pashinyan also visited the construction site of the modular school in Darbas, got acquainted with the progress of the works, 65% of which have been completed. The total cost of the project is 729.2 million AMD. The construction works of the school for 100 students will be completed before the end of the year.

The Prime Minister also got acquainted with the construction works of the 7.9 km section of the T-8-52 Noravan-Shamb road. The earthworks are in the final stage, the asphalting works have already started. The total cost of the road renovation is 1 billion 388 million AMD.

In the Sisian community, the intensive orchard project with an investment cost of 202 million AMD was presented to the Head of Government. The state support for the project in the sidelines of intensive horticulture development program amounted to 101 million AMD. The total area of cherry, pear, apricot and asparagus orchard is 12.4 hectares.

Nikol Pashinyan visited "VH Stone" company in Sisian community, which operates a basalt mine and plans to process basalt, granite, travertine and other hard and soft stones. An investment of 150 million AMD was made, creating 45 jobs.

The Prime Minister also got acquainted with the renovation works of the Sisian Medical Center, which started in 2021. The planned investment directed at acquisition of medical equipment, furniture and accessories will amount to around 550 million AMD. 30% of the works have been completed. The total cost of the project is 1 billion 86 million AMD. The works will be completed in 2025.

In Sisian city pantheon, Prime Minister Pashinyan paid homage to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Syunik Province continued on August 19.
The Prime Minister first visited Goris, where he got acquainted with the completed and ongoing projects in the communities with the Government financing and subsidy programs. The renovation works of 1,067 meters of roads approaching the "Avangard 5th district" of Goris community have been completed. The total cost of the subsidy program launched in 2022 is 194 million AMD, 45% of which was allocated from the community budget, 55% from the state budget.

The Head of the Government was also presented with the progress of asphalt paving and improvement works of a section of Galstyan street of Goris community, the backyard of multi-apartment building No. 60, the backyards of residential buildings No. 146, 148, 150 on Mashtots street.

Next, the Prime Minister got acquainted with the restoration works of the historical environment of Old Goris carried out by the Territorial Development Fund. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the works and attached importance to their quality implementation.

The next stop of the Prime Minister was Karashen settlement of Tegh community, where a new playground was built with the subsidy program. In Karashen, the Prime Minister talked with the residents and got acquainted with their problems. One of the residents mentioned that he benefited from the program of providing 16 million AMD by the government to build a house in the border settlements. Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to discuss the possibilities of further improvement of the program.

At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister familiarized himself with the renovation work of 1200 m of the road leading to the Armenian-French cardiology center on the street number 15 of Akner village, and visited the cardiology center. More than 70% of the road construction works have been completed. The total cost of the project is 223 million AMD. The Armenian-French cardiology center has recently been equipped with modern technical means and equipment within the framework of the Government's urgent programs, which will allow to provide high-quality services to citizens. There is also a blood bank in the center.

Nikol Pashinyan paid tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland in the Pantheon of Goris.

The Prime Minister's visit to Syunik Province is over.