September 25, 2003 - 19:00 AMT
ARMENIAN MINISTER OF CULTURE DENIED INFORMATION ON ALLEGED STATEMENTS OF HER DEPUTY MINISTER IN TURKEY
Minister of culture of Armenia Tamara Poghosian denied the reports by Turkish media on alleged statements made by deputy minister of culture Karen Aristakesian at a forum in Antalya, Turkey. Addressing the parliament yesterday, she reported that the statements arrogated to K. Aristakesian by the Anatolian News Agency that "one should forget all unpleasant events happened between Armenians and Turks in the past" are not true. In the minister's words, her deputy really said, "in its cultural policy Armenia has attached much importance to development of a dialogue in preventing conflicts via intercultural and inter-confessional dialogue with participation of cultural workers. The role of ministers of culture, as well as cultural workers is important in preventing conflicts." It should be reminded that the meeting of ministers of culture of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey was held September 18-20 in Antalya within the European Commission "Transition period cultural policy: dialogue and new partnership" project.