Confirmation from Kapan, Denial from the Ministry on Claims That Most of Sosiner Park is in Azerbaijani Territory

The Ministry of Environment denies reports circulating in the media that the 'Sosu Park' nature reserve, under the protection of the 'Zangezur' biospheric complex, has come under the control of Azerbaijan. According to the Ministry, the park, covering an area of 64.2 hectares, is located within the borders of the Republic of Armenia.

'Sosu Park' was established following the decision No. 341 of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR on September 13, 1958. It is situated on the banks of the Tsav River, along the northern macro-slope of the Meghri mountain range in the Syunik region of Southern Armenia, at an elevation between 700 and 750 meters.

Before 2004, 'Sosu Park' was part of the Kapan forest management, which, in essence, did not have the mechanisms for protection. According to the government decision No. 1044-N on July 15, 2004, changes were made to the government decision No. 926-N of May 30, 2002, allowing the park to come under the jurisdiction of the 'Shikahogh' state reserve with no changes to its status as a state reserve, in order to effectively organize protection and restoration works.

As a result of adjustments and mapping of the boundaries of 'Sosu Park' by the Armenian government decision No. 1401-N on September 7, 2006, the area of the reserve was confirmed to be 64.2 hectares.