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 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 | IDBank, Dalma team up for Caucasian Deer Reintroduction Program IDBank has joined Dalma Garden Mall’s Green Challenge to support the Caucasian red deer reintroduction project. Through Ucom’s support the 12th Sunchild Festival concludes On May 24-28, with the support of Ucom, the 12th international environmental festival Sunchild took place in Yerevan. U.S., Turkey emphasize importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal Jake Sullivan and Akif Cagatay Kilic have discussed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia coach expects good football in Slovenia friendly The Armenian national team has left for Ljubljana a friendly match against Slovenia on June 4. |