The newly appointed Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopirkin was in Gyumri on an official visit. He, along with the Russian Consul in Gyumri, Alexander Kopnin and the leaders of the 102nd military base, met Mayor Samvel Balasanyan, discussing a number of important issues.
Mayor Samvel Balasanyan referred to the issues raised by the residents of Gyumri at the beginning of the meeting after praising the Russian Consul in Gyumri. The Mayor asked the Ambassador to get acquainted with the letter addressed to the Russian Defense Minister, General Sergei Shoigu by the Gyumri Municipality by which the Mayor of Gyumri asks Russia to repair the streets of Gyumri, which had been harmed by heavy equipment of the 102nd Russian military base.
Samvel Balasanyan told the newly appointed Ambassador that this is about 10 kilometers. Samvel Balasanyan said that the question remained unanswered during Ustinov’s office as the leader of the military base.
According to the Mayor of Gyumri, he even visited Chilingarov in Moscow, and the latter sent the letter to the Defense Minister of the Russian Federation, who has given his consent.
“The heavy equipment, for instance, tanks, that drive through these roads, ruin our roads and we need to repair them. There was an agreement. Perhaps you are not aware of it, yet, but it is necessary to review it, this is a good plan and it must be implemented. Even the cost was calculated, those should be repaired. I can even present the package of documents. I ask you to help us to do the repairing, because this is the most important issue for our city”, said the Mayor.
The Ambassador noted that he is aware of the issue and will discuss it with the committee.
Samvel Balasanyan also offered the Ambassador to repair the historic building of the Russian postal office in Slabodka district. According to the Mayor, there are also problems connected to the 8th military district, they are not aware who are the owners now, utility payments of several apartments have not been done.
He also informed the Ambassador that there are semi-constructed buildings in the 8th military district. Realizing that he was talking only about problems, Samvel Balasanyan smiled and noted that there are many problems, but the Ambassador noted that he is pleased to listen to all of those because this indicates how much the Mayor is concerned about the city and raises the concerning issues at the first meeting.
Nune AREVSHATYAN
