VIDEO: The State Will Not Exploit the 'Golden Palace' Hotel, Babayan Says

The head of the State Property Management Committee, Narek Babayan, is unaware of the reasons behind the donation of the 'Golden Palace' by Armen Avetisyan, the former head of the Customs Committee and the hotel's former owner, to the state. Babayan stated this during a conversation with journalists today, on October 1.

He noted that there have been offers to purchase the 'Golden Palace', but he cannot reveal the prices or the names involved: "It should be more verified, final, and convincing to make such statements because if someone comes and says something, that doesn't mean anything yet."

In response to a question about whether it would be more efficient to expedite the process instead of having the police maintain the building at taxpayers' expense, Babayan responded, "The police have not yet taken over, the handover-acceptance has not yet been implemented. The funds have not yet been allocated; when the police begin their protection, they will request additional funds from the Government if necessary. We will try to do everything as quickly as possible; to tell the truth, we need to go there today."

When asked whom he would be going to the 'Golden Palace' with, Babayan replied, "I won’t say."

Babayan stated that everything in the building has been registered: "The handover-acceptance must be done according to that registration list; if there is anything missing, it cannot be accepted. There is a clear agreement that everything left concerning movable property has been registered and assessed."

He also mentioned that he has not met with Armen Avetisyan to understand the reasons behind his willingness to donate. In this case, Avetisyan's son has made the request, but Babayan has not personally met him.

When asked whether well-known companies have expressed interest in purchasing the 'Golden Palace', Babayan said, "There is no such thing. There have also been rental offers, but the best option needs to be found. We have not yet definitively discussed and arrived at the best solution."

When asked if it is possible that the state could exploit the hotel if no good options are proposed, Babayan replied, "This is excluded."

It should be noted that at the last meeting of the government, approval was given for transferring the 'Golden Palace' hotel in Tsaghkadzor as a donation to the Republic of Armenia.