Diarbekir mayor says he owes ArmeniansOctober 25, 2010 - 11:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A prayer was offered in St. Kirakos Armenian church in Diarbekir (Western Armenia) for the first time over the past 30 years, a Turkish newspaper said. According to Hurriyet, the event was attended by coadjutor of the Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church Aram Ateshyan, head of church foundation Tekin Papuchian, Diarbekir mayor Osman Baydemir, Armenians from other Turkish provinces as well as from Syria and Europe. “This church is as important for Armenians as the Holy Cross,” His Eminence Ateshyan said. “Although our religions are different, we are like brothers anyway. I openly state that a owe you. This town is yours as well,” mayor Baydemir added. The reconstruction of the church is estimated $2,5 million, 70% of which was raised through efforts of the church foundation members, the rest was provided by the Diarbekir town administration. 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 | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |