Stating that he supports the process of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, Mayor of Van Munir Karaloglu said that they have applied to Ministry of Culture for Armenian church in Akdamar island to be opened to worship.
Karaloglu said that he talked to undersecretariat on the issue of opening church to worship. “We will start legal process for the Church to be opened to worship for second sunday of September in every year.”
OPENING OF BORDERS WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR VAN
Reminding the policy of “zero problems with neighbouring countries,” Mayor Karaolgu said that opening of borders with Armenia will be very beneficial for Van. “We do not only support the Armenia rapprochement, we also are very happy about these developments,” said he.
Commenting on the issue of opening of Armenian church in Akdamar island to worship, Karaloglu said, “This is a church museum. It is not possible for this place to be opened to worship as the same thing valid in the case of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. But what the community demands from government is a symbollical gesture. Opening of Akdamar church to worship once a year. Undersecretariat promised me about this initiative.”
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