YEREVAN. – The law in Armenia permits the sale of historic monuments, but there exists a sales regulation and this regulation being violated, Armenia’s Distinguished Architect Sashur Kalashyan said during a press conference on Thursday. 

“The monuments are different, too. In this case we are dealing with a Government building [that is, the Government of Armenia Building No.2—where the country’s Foreign Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, and Territorial Administration Ministries currently function], which is a part of [capital city Yerevan’s] Liberty Square,” Kalashyan stated, commenting on the announcement that the aforesaid building will be sold to Tango Company, which belongs to Argentinean-Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian. 

He stressed that when a decision is to be made with respect to the sale of a monument, it is necessary to first hold comprehensive discussions, and only after that should a respective decision be made. 

Kalashyan maintained that the decision to turn the aforementioned building into a hotel complex should be declared null and void because it is a Government building.

“The building could be kept for holding official meetings, whereas the working building could be moved to somewhere else,” the architect said.