Shakaryan: Turkey lost small battle

Even if the cross is fixed on the Surb Khach Church dome on Aghtamar Island, I think Turkey lost this small battle and made a mistake not fixing the cross since both Armenia’s society and international media spoke about it a lot, Turkologist Artak Shakaryan told reporters.

According to the expert, for Turks, it will be very difficult to fix a cross on a church belonging to another religion, and especially to dismantle it in the future if necessary.

Shakaryan said that Turkey has a skilful diplomacy and we had better follow Turkey’s example.

“First Turkey repaired Surb Khach Church in 2007. Theoretically, Turkey could fix the cross and consecrate the church, but it divided the show into several parts: first opened the church, then allowed to offer a Mass there, and probably will fix the cross on the dome of the church one day to show good will towards Armenia,” expert stressed.

Describing Turkey’s policy Shakaryan said Turkey prioritizes not the result but the process of an action.

In Shakaryan’s opinion, the cross will not be fixed on the church dome but will be present at the Mass, and will be fixed on the dome some time after the Mass.