Ankara debates Akdamar invitation

Thursday, March 15, 2007
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

Turkey has invited Armenian officials to attend the ceremony for the inauguration of the renovated church, one of the finest surviving monuments of ancient Armenian culture

Turkey is currently debating whether the invitation of Armenian officials to mark the renovation of the 1,000-year-old Akdamar church will be a political gesture for a resolution of bilateral problems between the two neighboring countries. Facing increasing pressure from the Armenian diaspora for recognition of an alleged genocide of Armenians, Ankara is seeking ways to counter worldwide diaspora efforts through friendly moves.

Turkey has invited Armenian officials to attend the ceremony for the inauguration of the renovated church, one of the finest surviving monuments of ancient Armenian culture. But it is not clear whether any of them will show up. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said preparations were continuing. It denied reports in daily Milliyet that the government would allow direct flights between the Armenian capital of Yerevan and the Turkish city of Van for the ceremony planned for March 29.

A meeting was held by the Foreign Ministry some while ago to discuss preparations ahead of the opening of the church and plans to invite Armenians for the ceremony, which will also be attended by the former governor of Van, Niyazi Tanılır, and representatives from the General Staff, interior, culture and tourism ministries and the National Intelligence Agency (MİT), news reports said.

An official from the Culture Ministry suggested that Turkey open the gate with Armenia just once in a move to help Armenian guests to easily cross into Turkey to participate in that ceremony. The official also said the Armenian guests could arrive in Van through a direct flight from Yerevan despite reservations from the General Staff. But the idea was rejected at the meeting.

Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic ties and border crossings remain closed, but there are regular commercial flights between Yerevan and Istanbul. The ceremony will be held on the tiny island of Akdamar on Lake Van.

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