Armenian inscriptions have been added to signboards on the streets of the city of Artamed (Edremit) in Van province of Turkey.

As Asbarez reported, citing EremeniHaber.com, the initiative aims “to eliminate hostility towards Armenians and create sympathy for them.”

“The Kurdish people have historical-cultural similarities with the Armenians,” the Mayor of Artamed, Sevil Rojbin Cetin, member of the Party of Democratic Regions, said.

“Van and Artamed were densely populated by Armenians before 1915. The Kurds and Armenians have lived side by side in Van for centuries. Therefore, we’ll not allow the state to erase Armenian history and destroy the Armenian culture. We have made this step as a sign of respect for Armenians,” the Mayor told Haber 7 news.