Armenian NA approves restrictions on AAC`s rights to lands.

ArmInfo.  The Armenian Parliament has approved restrictions on the Armenian Apostolic Church's rights to state lands. The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia passed amendments to the Land Code in the first reading at its February 13 session.

Presenting the document, Deputy Minister of Territorial  Administration and Infrastructure Asatur Vardanyan noted that from  now on, land for the construction and maintenance of churches will no  longer be transferred to the Mother See of Etchmiadzin as property,  but will be subject to free use agreements.  Previously transferred  lands will remain the property of the Church, but new lands will be  provided only on a free use basis. The amendments are aimed at  regulating the use of church lands. In doing so, the government seeks  to streamline the process of land allocation and legal relations with  the Church.

"Considering that Part 2 of Article 64 of the Land Code concerns the  gratuitous provision of land plots, and Article 75 already provides  for the gratuitous provision of state- and municipally owned land to  the AAC without a competitive tender, the draft law proposes the  repeal of Part 2 of Article 64 of the Land Code," the Deputy Minister  stated.