Some 441 communities in Armenia to be consolidated into 37 clusters

YEREVAN, September 8. /ARKA/. The Armenian government approved today a major territorial-administrative reform.

According to the Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Gnel Sanosyan, under the government-designed reform, some 441 communities across the country will be consolidated into 37 clusters. He said when the process is completed there will be a total of 77 communities and the capital city Yerevan.

According to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the enlargement of communities will increase their opportunities for participation in subvention projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan added that the enlargement will increase the economic potential and opportunities of the communities.

“We have a shortage of specialists in almost all communities –from animal husbandry specialists to highly qualified financiers and accountants. When the communities are enlarged, we can fill these vacancies with people with better potential who will receive higher salaries,” he said.

Papikyan also stressed that the elections in the enlarged communities will be held according to the proportional system (by party lists) and the problem of winners and losers will be balanced.

"In the past, there was only one winner, and now all the political forces that will run in the elections will be represented in accordance with the votes they receive in the Community Council for 5 years," he explained.

Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan stressed that as a result of this process, the resources of the enlarged communities will be consolidated, thereby increasing their ability to attract investments. -0-