The Law of the Republic of Armenia on export and import of cultural values, enacted on December 29, 2004 and amended in 2022, serves to protect and regulate the movement of significant cultural artifacts and objects. Its primary purpose is to prevent illegal export and import of these items, safeguarding Armenia’s cultural heritage. The law applies to a broad range of objects deemed culturally significant, including historical artifacts, archaeological finds, art pieces, manuscripts, musical instruments, ethnographic materials, and more.
Key provisions outline the categories of cultural values covered, ranging from historical objects and archaeological finds to artworks, literary manuscripts, musical instruments, and ethnographic materials. These items are subject to strict regulations governing their export and import, ensuring they are preserved within Armenia whenever possible. The law establishes procedures for examining cultural values to determine their significance and issues certificates permitting their export under certain conditions.
Central to the legislation is the creation of a security list of cultural values, which includes items of exceptional importance to Armenia’s cultural heritage. Export of these items is prohibited without government approval, and the state reserves the right to acquire them if they are to be sold abroad. Additionally, cultural values housed in state-owned museums, archives, and libraries cannot be permanently exported, except under specific circumstances.
The law also addresses the illegal export or import of cultural values, mandating their return to Armenia through established legal procedures if they were unlawfully taken out of the country or brought in. This legal framework underscores Armenia’s commitment to preserving its cultural treasures, promoting international cultural cooperation, and protecting the property rights associated with these invaluable artifacts.
ՀՀ օրենքը «Մշակութային արժեքների արտահանման և ներմուծման մաuին»
