Turkish Daily News: Turkey may miss second chance to normalize relations with ArmeniaMarch 21, 2007 - 17:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The inauguration of Akhtamar St. Cross Church on March 29 will not be an opportunity for the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia and Turkey will miss the second chance for rapprochement after the assassination of Hrant Dink, reports the Turkish Daily News.In the eve of a resolution proposed to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Armenian Genocide recognition, Ankara was ambitious for the opening ceremony of Akhtamar Armenian Church. Turkey aimed to prevent passage of the resolution and planned to show the respect of Turkish society to different cultures and religions by opening Akhtamar Church. More than 200 Armenians from New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Ottawa and Paris were invited in addition to the Armenians from Yerevan including the clergymen and representatives of non-governmental organizations who attended Dink's funeral. The invitations were prepared in coordination with the Turkish-Armenian's Patriarch, Mesrob Mutafyan, said the Turkish sources. Just a week before the ceremony, Turkey is now suspicious about the attendance of Armenians. Despite the invitation it is still unclear whether Armenian Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosian will attend the inauguration of the newly renovated 10th century Akhtamar Church and Yerevan did not give an answer to the invitation conveyed by the Turkish Embassy to Tbilisi. In response, Ankara adopted a low profile policy on Akhtamar, saying, "There is no need to exaggerate, we are opening historical places every year." Akhtamar Church or the Church of the Holy Cross is a ruined Armenian Church in Van of Eastern Anatolia. The expectations of Armenians were not realized said Kaan Soyak, the co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Council. Soyak criticized Turkish foreign policy for being addicted to Azerbaijan and expressed the disappointment of Armenians for not opening the Turkish-Armenian border for inauguration day. Turkish sources on the other hand argued a direct flight between Yerevan and Van airport is impossible saying, "It is not possible to sustain security measures in Van because of technical reasons." Ankara invited the Patriks and Metropolits of Damascus, Aleppo, Moscow, Bukresh, Beirut as well as the five Orthodox representatives from Yerevan. In that context, head of the Armenian Orthodox Church Garegin II was invited by the governor of Van, Niyazi Tan. "Garegin II will not attend because he only got a note for the invitation, the invitation was not sent," said the TDN sources who are in contact with Yerevan. Turkish sources on the other hand asserted that it is not intentional and it is false. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |