Ashot Melkonyan: we don’t need invitation to visit our historical lands

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenians do not need an invitation to visit their historical lands, director of the Institute of History at the RA National Academy of Sciences stated.

“We know where our historical monuments are located and should be a part of a Turkish show,” Ashot Melkonyan said during a meeting of the association of expatriate communities.

Professor Ruben Safrastyan, director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at RA NAS, noted for his part that Shariat prohibits installation of crosses on Christian churches.

“With this cheap show, Turkey just feigns an intention to normalize relations with Armenia,” he said.

According to Zhasmen Asryan, member of the sub-commission on religion, diaspora and international integration at the RA Public Council, Turkey will not only derive benefits from its show but will also demand action on Armenia’s part.

The association said in the resulting statement that organization of liturgy in Holy Cross Church is nothing but an attempt to improve Turkey’s image in the eyes of the international community.