ROA President Sargsyan issued a directive on December 25th to establish a commission to study the issues confronting Lake Sevan. Vladimir Movsisyan, Executive Director of the Forest Reforestation and Development Fund has been appointed commission president and Yuri Javadyan, Director of the Hayjrnakhagits Institute, vice-president. Regarding the importance of protecting Sevan, President Sargsyan noted, “I do not consider it necessary to dwell on the issue of importance of Lake Sevan for Armenia. The issues connected with Sevan are of vital importance for us. It is directly or indirectly linked to a number of spheres – environmental protection, agriculture, energy, fish breeding, drinking water, etc. It’s easier to say what it is not connected with." The president added that it is necessary to control all kinds of economic activity that can have a negative influence on the ecosystem of the lake.