Anadolu Agency
Dec 6 2004

Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital Museum opens in Istanbul
Anadolu Agency: 12/5/2004

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on
Sunday that those who saw the artifacts in the Surp Pirgic Armenian
Hospital Museum would see that everybody had been co-existing in
peace in Turkey.

Erdogan, who inaugurated the Yedikule Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital
Museum which was renovated by the Armenian Foundation, said that the
hospital was established by the Armenians upon the statement of Sultan
Mahmud II 172 years ago, and continued to serve patients since then.

“As the children of this country, we have co-existed in peace for
centuries. Our literature, architecture, humanitarian values, trade,
songs and cuisines have intermingled,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan said that he read statements of hospital`s executive board
chairman and deputy chairman Bedros Sirinoglu, who said that they
were faithful to Turkey and were living in prosperity with their 33
churches and 13 schools. They also asked why they should be minority
in a country of which they were a citizen.

“These statements are explaining not only Turkey but also the Armenian
citizens who are an indispensable part of us. Every artifact in this
museum clearly shows co-existence,” Erdogan stated.

Thanking the Armenian citizens for their contributions to Turkey,
Erdogan said, “let`s see how the message given here will be
reflected to the world? We will continue developing humanitarian
values in the light of universal criteria. Long live our unity in
these territories`.”