Armenia`s government propose new name for immovable monuments 

ArmInfo.  The Armenian government proposes to use the term "archaeological monument-museum" in relation to immovable historical and cultural monuments. The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia is discussing the amendments to the law "On the Preservation and Use of Immovable Historical and Cultural Monuments and the Historical Environment" and a package of related laws submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers in the first reading at its plenary session on May 7.

As Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the  Republic of Armenia Alfred Kocharyan noted in his speech, the word  "reserve" currently used does not correspond to international  terminology. It is planned to replace the term "museum-reserve" with  the term "archaeological monument- museum". Such institutional units,  the Deputy Minister noted, are called archaeological sites all over  the world, which is directly related to their management and  preservation status.

Considering that historical and cultural museums - reserves belong to  the institutional structure of museum affairs and, accordingly, imply  the creation of an appropriate protective, social, educational and  participatory environment, it seems appropriate to rename them as  "archaeological monuments - museums". 

The laws "On the Preservation and Use of Immovable Historical and  Cultural Monuments and the Historical Environment", "On Urban  Development" and "On Local Self-Government" contain contradictions  regarding the powers to issue permits for the construction,  strengthening, repair, restoration, reconstruction and relocation of  historical and cultural monuments, which creates obstacles and risks  for the restoration and preservation of monuments. It is proposed to  establish a provision according to which permits for the  strengthening, repair and restoration of monuments of local  significance are issued in the established manner by a state  authority, territorial or local self-government body upon prior  agreement with the authorized body represented by the Ministry of  Education, Science and Culture. Alfred Kocharyan noted that Armenia  is rich in cultural and historical monuments. Often, businesses,  carrying out construction work during the implementation of an  investment program, come across objects of historical and cultural  value. In this case, these works are either transferred to specially  protected areas or to a history museum, or the area is preserved for  archaeological excavations.