Rubinyan and Khachatryan Debate Over the Difference in Area Measurements

During a parliamentary session, the difference between the area of Armenia being reported as 29,800 and 29,743 square kilometers became a topic of discussion.

Arthur Khachatryan, the secretary of the "Armenia" faction, stated that previously the territory of the Republic of Armenia was represented as 29,800 square kilometers, while it is now cited as 29,743 square kilometers. "The territory of the Republic of Armenia was 29,800 square kilometers. When you round 29,743, it becomes 29,700. Today, a legitimate question arises: where did the 57 square kilometers of the Republic of Armenia's sovereign territory go?" Khachatryan said from the parliamentary podium.

He also referred to the comment made by ruling party MP Arusyak Julhakyan that there are maps regarding Armenia’s territory. According to Khachatryan, a map itself is not a legal document. "A map is not a normative legal act; yes, normative legal acts are developed based on a map, and maps stem from normative legal acts, but the map itself is not a normative legal act," he noted.

The parliament member insisted that a clear legal basis should be presented to understand when and on what document the figure 29,800 square kilometers became 29,743. "Hence, my question was legitimate: when did the 29,800 square kilometers suddenly become 29,743? What is that legal act? Should we not know when it was adopted?" Khachatryan emphasized.

In response, Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan provided his clarification regarding the figure of 29,743 square kilometers. Rubinyan reminded that in 2005, the RA government, with the signature of Robert Kocharian, approved a report regarding the availability and distribution of the land fund of the Republic of Armenia. "Do you know what's written there? That the land fund of the Republic of Armenia consists of 2,974.3 hectares. If you divide that by the corresponding number, you will get 29,743 square kilometers. The same has occurred in 2010 and 2015," Rubinyan said.

According to him, in encyclopedias, the area figure may be rounded and noted as 29,800 square kilometers. Addressing Khachatryan, Rubinyan declared, "Therefore, when you ask where we took 29,743 square kilometers from, Mr. Khachatryan, we took it from you, personally from you. So, come and tell us where the remaining hectares have gone." The parliament speaker advised examining the issue and added, "The main thing is not to lead the investigation back to oneself."