Larger communities of Vanadzor and Ararat will be established in Armenia

Arminfo. At its plenary session on September 15, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted, in the second and final reading, amendments to the law “On Administrative-Territorial Division.”

Earlier, presenting the amendments, RA Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Arnak Avetisyan noted that, under the proposed initiative, the Ararat community would be created, comprising the towns of Ararat and Vedi, as well as the villages of Ararat, Avshar, Armash, Yeraskh, Zangakatun, Landjar, Noyakert, Urtsalandj, Paruyr Sevak, Surenavan, Vardashat, Tigranashen, Aygavan, Aralez, Ginevet, Goravan, Dashtakar, Yegegnavan, Landjanist, Lusashogh, Lusarat, Nor Kyank, Nor Ughi, Shaghap, Vosketap, Sisavan, Vanashen, Taperakan,  Urtsadzor, and Pokr Vedi.

It is also planned to enlarge the Vanadzor community, which, in addition to Vanadzor itself, will include the villages of Gugark, Darpas, Shaumyan, Pambak, Aznvadzor, Antaramut, Arjut, Bazum, Gushar, Debed, Yegegnut, Zhamatun, Lernapat, Lernajur, Tsakhkots, Margahovit, Dzoraget, Dzoragyugh, Vahagnadzor, Vaagni, and Karaberd.

The deputy minister recalled that the enlargement process has been underway since 2016.  According to Arnak Avetisyan, local and international studies have shown that the consolidation of communities carried out according to the regional model is more effective and contributes to improving the quality of services provided by communities to citizens, further strengthening the capacity of communities, and implementing reforms in community and local self-government more effectively. Since February 14, 2016, 99 community consolidation programs have been implemented, as a result of which 57  communities were formed instead of 915.  With the adoption of the law, their number will become 55, while the total number of communities, including Yerevan, Gyumri, and 5 other non-consolidated communities, will be 62.