Armenian delegation's participation in the inauguration of Armenian medieval Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar island was necessary, RA Acting Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian stated in Yerevan. He said, if a cross was placed atop the church, participation of the Armenian delegation in the opening would be more representative and representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church would also be present in the inauguration of the temple.

"But Turkey refused, and that's why our delegation was rather modest. However it is an Armenian monument, it belongs to us and Armenian should be present there in order to show it to the world. Existence of the Armenian monument on the strategically important island is evidence for the fact that we've lived on these territories for centuries," the RA FM underlined.

He also noted "though the Armenian delegation was not given a right to speak at the inauguration but with silence and just presence Armenia managed to bring her message to the world".

"It would be better if Turkey took more active moves for normalizing his relations with Armenia and opened the border; this is a normal process and only in this case realization of such programs would be effective. There are no causes and basis for closing the Armenian-Turkish border and Turkey should open the border with Armenia, it will create a normal situation between the countries. Only after opening the Armenian-Turkish border it will be possible to start a constructive dialog," Vartan Oskanian said, "Novosti-Armenia" reports.