`Reconciliation Monument` under construction in Turkey
A "monument of reconciliation" with Armenians is
being built in Turkey`s historic city of Gars, located on the
border between the two countries.
The resumption of construction on the site, which had been suspended by the Turkish government several times, was made possible due to the efforts by pro-Armenian forces.
Construction work on the monument, being built by architect Mehmet Aksoy, is close to completion. The 32-meter monument shows a hand being extended to Armenia and other elements signifying reconciliation. This monument, to be Turkey`s tallest, will be seen from Armenia as well.
Gars, with 70% of its population being Azerbaijani Turks, is considered a key in forging relations with Armenia. Considering that there are plenty of forces in the city seeking rapprochement with this country, the role played by Gars on this issue is tremendous. Supporters of restoring and developing relations between Turkey and Armenia are included among the city`s authorities. The public relations efforts and petitioning campaign, previously conducted by the head of the Gars municipality, Naif Alibayoglu, calls for the launching of diplomatic relations and opening the border with Armenia. Moreover, Gars has become a stage for political games during an event held under the name, "The Festival of Caucasus Cultures." Along with Armenian musicians, area politicians and businessmen attended the event and participated in programs such as "Public Diplomacy." Currently, this policy is being pursued with more ease. The Turkish government`s recent gestures toward Armenia have further encouraged the Gars municipality to restore ties with the neighboring country, which have been marred by historical tensions.
Although Ankara has made it clear that restoring diplomatic ties and opening up the border is possible only after Yerevan complies with verifiable pre-conditions, Gars has apparently outlined its own political course in this regard.
Armenia and Turkey maintain no diplomatic ties and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence, due to Armenia`s occupation of Azerbaijani territories and Armenian claims that huge numbers of their countrymen were killed by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. However, relations between the two countries have recently begun to improve. Following secret talks in July between Turkish and Armenian diplomats in Bern, Turkish and Armenian leaders attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match together in Yerevan early in September when Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia. Further, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian visited Turkey on November 24 where they discussed ways of normalizing relations between Ankara and Yerevan.
The resumption of construction on the site, which had been suspended by the Turkish government several times, was made possible due to the efforts by pro-Armenian forces.
Construction work on the monument, being built by architect Mehmet Aksoy, is close to completion. The 32-meter monument shows a hand being extended to Armenia and other elements signifying reconciliation. This monument, to be Turkey`s tallest, will be seen from Armenia as well.
Gars, with 70% of its population being Azerbaijani Turks, is considered a key in forging relations with Armenia. Considering that there are plenty of forces in the city seeking rapprochement with this country, the role played by Gars on this issue is tremendous. Supporters of restoring and developing relations between Turkey and Armenia are included among the city`s authorities. The public relations efforts and petitioning campaign, previously conducted by the head of the Gars municipality, Naif Alibayoglu, calls for the launching of diplomatic relations and opening the border with Armenia. Moreover, Gars has become a stage for political games during an event held under the name, "The Festival of Caucasus Cultures." Along with Armenian musicians, area politicians and businessmen attended the event and participated in programs such as "Public Diplomacy." Currently, this policy is being pursued with more ease. The Turkish government`s recent gestures toward Armenia have further encouraged the Gars municipality to restore ties with the neighboring country, which have been marred by historical tensions.
Although Ankara has made it clear that restoring diplomatic ties and opening up the border is possible only after Yerevan complies with verifiable pre-conditions, Gars has apparently outlined its own political course in this regard.
Armenia and Turkey maintain no diplomatic ties and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence, due to Armenia`s occupation of Azerbaijani territories and Armenian claims that huge numbers of their countrymen were killed by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. However, relations between the two countries have recently begun to improve. Following secret talks in July between Turkish and Armenian diplomats in Bern, Turkish and Armenian leaders attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match together in Yerevan early in September when Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia. Further, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian visited Turkey on November 24 where they discussed ways of normalizing relations between Ankara and Yerevan.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!