YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The second draft program on development of Tavush marz (province) was developed and submitted to the RA government. The draft-related proposals of departments were sent to the RA minister of territorial administration. After being amended, the program will be submitted to the goverment for approval, the governor of Tavush marz Armen Ghularian announced at the June 20 press conference. He linked successful implementation of the program to the fact that the program of proportional territorial development of the RA has been reflected in the pre-election program of the Armenian president and in the 2008-2012 programs of the government. According to the regional governor, the first program (2003-2007) cost 70 bln drams (about 229.5 mln USD) and the UK DFID allocated 1 million pounds for its implementation. Among the program's priorities were development of communities, agriculture, social sectors (education, health care, social security) and small and medium business. The second program will also involve environmental protection sector (problems of forest restoration, garbage disposal, sanitary cleaning, mine operation, water resource management). During the press conference, the British ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale said that they and the regional governor also discussed the development programs which were worked out and are being implemented with the assistance of the DFID-financed Armenian Regional Development Project. Although the UK finishes these programs' financing in 2008, the programs will be funded from other sources, the ambassador said, adding that the programs implemented in Tavush marz and Ijevan may serve as an example for other Armenian marzes and cities. According to the DFID Armenia Office director Artashes Darbinian, in launching its cooperation with Armenia, the DFID selected Tavush and Gegharkunik marzes because their authorities had a great desire to assist with the programs, which was reflected in their successful results. Among the programs completed in Tavush marz are the regional development program and the Program on Public Sector Reforms. The speaker attached importance to involvement of regional NGOs in the indicated programs' implementation, which contributes to their rapid process. C. Lonsdale who had paid his first visit to Tavush marz (Ijevan, Haghartsian, Dilijan) said that the marz left a positive impression on him. In his words, although there are no programs on regional tourism development, they plan to expand cooperation with unions of businessmen, which will also promote tourism. In his opinion, Armenia has great potential for tourism development, but this potential is not being used to the full. He pointed out the low level of infrastructures' development in Armenia: the absence of pedestrian roads near the sights, lack of maps, the small number of high-quality, affordable lodgings in rural areas. On the other hand, the ambassador attached special importance to the Armenians' ability of free, immediate communication.

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