YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan has held a meeting with workers of the Alaverdi Copper Smelter.

Member of Parliament Aren Mkrtchyan and Governor of Lori Andrey Ghukasyan were also in attendance. The factory is located in the province of Lori and has been closed indefinitely.

Employees of the plant asked to be briefed on the latest developments around the factory and the government’s approach on the smelter’s fate.

Avinyan told the workers that the issue of the Alaverdi Copper Smelter is a priority for the government.

He said the government is interested in a speedy resolution of the issue and preservation of jobs.

Now, negotiations are underway between the VTB Bank and ACP company regarding the further activities of the factory. The government is a mediator in these talks, trying to assist the parties in reaching an arrangement.

During the meeting an agreement was reached that the workers will maintain direct contact with Avinyan’s office on the developments.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan