Armenian parliament debates bill on merger of four communities

Armenia’s parliament is debating a government bill seeking to create two consolidated communities by merging Vanadzor and Pambak in Lori Province into a new Vanadzor community incorporating 22 settlements, and Ararat and Vedi in Ararat Province into a consolidated Ararat community with 32 settlements.

The bill was presented in parliament on September 14 by Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Arnak Avetisyan.

“This is the next phase of the administrative-territorial reforms being implemented by the government,” Avetisyan said.

He said that as a result of 99 community merger programs, the number of communities in Armenia has fallen from 915 to 64 consolidated communities.

“Relevant discussions on the mergers were held with the participation of local self-government bodies and residents of all communities being merged, in the respective provincial centers,” the deputy minister added.