Holy Cross church on Aghtamar island to operate as museumAugust 8, 2009 - 13:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Holy Cross Armenian church, recently restored in Turkey, operates as a museum, Alexander Sotnichenko, leading analyst of St. Petersburg Center for Middle East Studies, told a PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent. Even if the church has a cross on its cupola, that won't change anything, the expert finds, because as far as he is aware, there is now the Turkish flag fluttering there. "Turkey's actions are maneuvers for both the West and Russia," Russian analyst said, noting in the meantime that Turkey conducts literate information policy. "Turkey recently invited Russian and foreign journalists to show them ancient Armenian monuments and prove that there was allegedly no conflict between two nations. Besides, I don't think Turkey will mind if Aghtamar becomes a new tourist center," Russian expert noted. Turkey just wants to show that it has respect for the ethnic groups which formerly inhabited on its territory. But despite its "reasonable" political steps, it should perceive the difference between restoring a church and opening a border. "By normalizing ties with Armenia, Turkey seeks to increase its influence in Caucasus," Russian analyst said, adding that Baku has fears of Armenian-Turkish ties normalization process. "Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are no longer as warm as they used to be. In 1990's, Turkish government had closer ties with Azerbaijan. But now it acts against Azerbaijan's interests, as it is more interested in normalizing Armenian-Turkish ties." Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |