Turkish state minister visits Armenian church in IstanbulApril 22, 2011 - 14:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey’s state minister, chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis paid a visit to the Surp Takavor Armenian Church in Istanbul to join people in their Easter prayers. “As long as we [the ruling party] have been in power, we have not intervened in anyone’s religion,” he said. “People in Turkey have long believed they can change each other through pressure,” Bagıs said, adding that people instead have to work and live together in harmony, regardless of their religions or faiths, Hurriyet Daily reported. “We haven’t intervened in anyone’s private life,” Bagıs said. He added that during the period the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has been in power, everyone has felt freer to express their religious beliefs. Head of the church foundation Shapuh Cholakyan expressed gratitude to Bagis, saying: “The situation has improved so much that we have forgotten the bitterness of past events.” 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 | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |