Land plots will no longer be granted to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under free ownership rights. The National Assembly approved in the first reading amendments to the Law on Amendments to the Land Code of Armenia, submitted by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
Fifty-eight lawmakers voted in favor of the initiative, 24 voted against, and three abstained, Sputnik Armenia reported.
Article 64, Part 1.2 of the Land Code had previously stipulated that land plots owned by the state or communities could be transferred to the Armenian Apostolic Church free of charge under ownership rights for the construction and maintenance of churches and church-affiliated buildings. After the amendment enters into force, such land plots will be granted to the Church exclusively under usage rights.
The explanatory note to the bill states that the purpose of the amendment is not to restrict the activities of any organization, but to ensure a more flexible and controllable mechanism for land use.
