OSCE Office signs memorandum with Armenian Defence Ministry on elimination of rocket fuel component stocks
(OSCE)Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Vladimir Pryakhin (right), and Minister of Defence of Armenia, Serzh Sargssian, at the signing of a memorandum of understanding on eliminating rocket fuel material, 22 February 2005. (OSCE) Photo details
YEREVAN, 23 February 2005 - A memorandum of understanding on the elimination of rocket fuel component stocks in Armenia was signed yesterday in Yerevan by the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, and the Minister of Defence of Armenia and Secretary of the National Security Council, Serzh Sargssian.
These rocket fuel components, known as melange, represent a considerable environmental risk after prolonged storage, in addition to the inherent security risk.
Following an official request from Armenia in April 2004 for technical and financial support for the recycling of 872 tons of melange, the Office arranged for international experts to advise on the environmentally sound recycling of the chemicals.
The method of neutralizing the melange chosen by the OSCE will result in the added positive by-product of a liquid fertilizer for use by Armenia's farmers.
"The Office will continue to support this important activity, which aims to improve both the environment and the security of the Armenian population," said Ambassador Pryakhin at the signing ceremony. "It is also an example of fruitful co-operation between the OSCE and the Government of Armenia".
Defence Minister Sargssian praised the active co-operation with the OSCE Office and thanked the OSCE participating States for their valuable technical support and financial contributions.
The project is financed by the Governments of the United States, Germany, Finland, as well as Canada, which contributed through the OSCE-UNDP-UNEP Environment and Security Initiative to the initial stage of the project, successfully completed last year.
These rocket fuel components, known as melange, represent a considerable environmental risk after prolonged storage, in addition to the inherent security risk.
Following an official request from Armenia in April 2004 for technical and financial support for the recycling of 872 tons of melange, the Office arranged for international experts to advise on the environmentally sound recycling of the chemicals.
The method of neutralizing the melange chosen by the OSCE will result in the added positive by-product of a liquid fertilizer for use by Armenia's farmers.
"The Office will continue to support this important activity, which aims to improve both the environment and the security of the Armenian population," said Ambassador Pryakhin at the signing ceremony. "It is also an example of fruitful co-operation between the OSCE and the Government of Armenia".
Defence Minister Sargssian praised the active co-operation with the OSCE Office and thanked the OSCE participating States for their valuable technical support and financial contributions.
The project is financed by the Governments of the United States, Germany, Finland, as well as Canada, which contributed through the OSCE-UNDP-UNEP Environment and Security Initiative to the initial stage of the project, successfully completed last year.