ARMENIA CONFIRMS SENDING DELEGATION TO CHURCH OPENING IN EASTERN TURKEY
ARMENPRESS
Mar 21 2007
YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian said today an Armenian government delegation, headed by
deputy culture minister Gagik Gyurjian, will leave for eastern Turkey
to attend the opening of the repaired Armenian Holy Cross Church on
Lake Van. He said the delegation will include also prominent Armenian
intellectuals and experts.
Oskanian said the decision of Turkish authorities to renovate the
10-th century Armenian church was unprecedented, since thousands of
Armenian monuments in Turkey consigned to oblivion are turning into
ruins with every passing day.
"We hope this will become a good start, especially in view of plans
to start renovation of the medieval Armenian capital Ani," Oskanian
said, adding that Armenian monuments in eastern parts of Turkey are
the material evidence of Armenian presence there.
Turkey began restoring this church under European Union’s pressure
in 2005 after a century of neglect.
Brussels urged Turkey in 2004 to consider registering the Holy Cross
Akhtamar Church in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The government of Turkey released $1.5 million for its restoration. The
Akhtamar Church was constructed between 915 AD to 921 AD under the
supervision of King Gagik I. The renovated Church will be opened on
March 29.
Oskanian said today by this move Turks want to portray themselves as
proponents of improvement of relationships with Armenia, but he said
that is not the case.
"A positive sign and a move on part of Turkey, in terms of
relationships normalization, would be the opening of the border
with Armenia and establishment of diplomatic relations,’ he said,
adding that should the border be open the Armenian delegation would
reach Van in four hours, but now the delegation will have to fly to
Istanbul from Yerevan and from there to Van.