Historian Ara Sarafian, who recently co-authored with writer and publisher Osman Koker the book “Ahtamar: Ortacag Ermeni Mimarliginin Mucevheri” (Ahtamar: A Jewel of Medieval Armenian Architecture), said that the “positive” development of the opening of the church should not be overshadowed by the diaspora’s negative attitude, Today’s Zaman reported.

“I applaud the Turkish government for doing it. There are many complex issues to solve in front of us. There are extremists on both sides. In order to make progress, we need to control them,” he said in a bookstore in Van where he introduced his book.

Professor Baskin Oran, an advocate of reconciliation between Turks and Armenians, said the religious service on the island symbolizes the destruction of the nation-state and the building of a democratic state.

“This is recognition of differences and freedom of religion. Turkey is in a process of normalization,” said Oran, who was on Akhtamar Island on September 19. Oran added that the delay over the cross issue was because of the presence of dark deep-state elements within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

“This church is of important historical value. It is a right step in the right direction for Turkey to recognize its value,” said Germany’s Ambassador to Ankara Eckard Kuntz, who participated in the ceremony at the church. He added that he feels deeply moved by visiting the island with Delal Dink, the daughter of slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Kuntz also said he hopes the Turkish-Armenian border will be opened so that more Armenians can come to Turkey directly for the religious service instead of traveling via Georgia.

Zahir Kandasoglu, president of the Van Chamber of Trade and Industry, said opening the border with Armenia would contribute to the development of relations on many fronts. “The first item on our agenda is the opening of the border. Then comes the restoration of all structures of historical value in our region,” he told.

“I wish the cross had been put in place much earlier so that trust between the two communities is not damaged,” he added.