ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan convened a meeting of the Security Council.
As the press service of the Armenian head told ArmInfo, the agenda of the meeting included issues arising from the activity plan of the structure in 2017.
The draft concept of the management of natural resources of Armenia and prospects for further improvement of the situation with food security in the country were presented to the members of the Security Council.
"The agenda of the meeting also included events in the Middle East and their impact on local Armenian communities. The Armenian Foreign Minister presented the meeting participants with information on the above-mentioned issue," the statement reads.
The members of the Security Council approved the draft concept of the management of natural resources of Armenia, presented by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan. It is noted that the development of the concept is aimed at revising the state concept on the use of minerals, soil, forests, water resources and conservation of biological diversity and setting priorities in accordance with modern requirements. The main goal of the document is the formation of a unified natural resource management system with the aim of raising the level of environmental safety in the country.
After the discussion, Sargsyan instructed the secretariat of the Security Council to supplement the draft concept, announced during the meeting with proposals, within a week, and submit it in due course for approval.
Minister of Agriculture of Armenia Ignaty Arakelyan made a report on food security in the country and prospects for improving the situation. The Council also discussed the reports of co-rapporteurs on this issue of the Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan and the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations David Tonoyan. Based on the results of the discussion, the government was instructed to properly implement provisions on food security, based on the government's program for 2017- 2021, with special emphasis on increasing food security and providing the population with modern quality services.
Also, the implementation of measures to implement effective measures to prevent damage to agriculture caused by hail and natural disasters was entrusted. Taking into account the international experience, within two months, submit proposals on the minimum basket of food security, the structure and discussion of the methodology for energy assessment and the appropriateness of making changes in the law on "living a minimum subsistence level and minimum consumer budget", as well as activization of the implementation of the agricultural insurance system.
After listening to the Foreign Minister's report on the situation in the Middle East and its impact on local Armenian communities, Sargsyan stressed the concern over the situation around the large Armenian community, cultural and educational centers, as well as religious and historical heritage.
Sargsyan instructed to continue measures to ensure the life and security of compatriots in the Middle East, meet the needs of Armenian refugees from Syria, as well as preserve the Armenian cultural heritage. It was also instructed to continue working with partner countries and international structures to ensure the duration of assistance to Syrian Armenians and be prepared for possible adverse processes, while developing the level of traditional relations with Arab countries.