Voskepar Church Will Remain in Armenian Territory: Deputy Prime Minister's Office

The office of Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, who also leads the commission on border demarcation with Azerbaijan, has denied circulating rumors that the Church of the Mother of God, dating back to the 6th-7th centuries in the village of Voskepar, Tavush Province, will be transferred to Azerbaijan.

According to Mr. Grigoryan's office, after implementing the agreements on border demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Voskepar Church will remain within the territory of Armenia.

Residents of several communities in Tavush Province expressed their opposition to the border demarcation agreements, continuing their protests near the Voskepar Church on April 22. They claim that mine clearance operations are underway in the area in preparation for its transfer to Azerbaijan. In this context, there were discussions suggesting that the Voskepar Church would also come under Azerbaijani control following the border demarcation.