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Armenian church reopens in Turkey Armenian church reopens in Turkey
(about 2 hours later)
A senior Armenian delegation is in eastern Turkey for the reopening of a 1,100-year-old Armenian church restored by the Turkish government.A senior Armenian delegation is in eastern Turkey for the reopening of a 1,100-year-old Armenian church restored by the Turkish government.
The move is being seen as a positive gesture by Ankara to help overcome the animosity following the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.The move is being seen as a positive gesture by Ankara to help overcome the animosity following the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.
The two countries have no formal diplomatic ties.The two countries have no formal diplomatic ties.
Located on the small island of Akdamar in Lake Van, the pink sandstone church has undergone 18 months of renovation.Located on the small island of Akdamar in Lake Van, the pink sandstone church has undergone 18 months of renovation.
New projectsNew projects
The building, which has now reopened as a museum, had long been left empty and neglected, its intricate wall carvings crumbling.The building, which has now reopened as a museum, had long been left empty and neglected, its intricate wall carvings crumbling.
In a move described by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a positive step, the government spent $1.5m (£763,000) on its restoration.In a move described by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a positive step, the government spent $1.5m (£763,000) on its restoration.
The 20-strong Armenian delegation of architects, engineers and archaeologists is headed by Deputy Culture Minister Gagik Gyurjyan.The 20-strong Armenian delegation of architects, engineers and archaeologists is headed by Deputy Culture Minister Gagik Gyurjyan.
Mr Gyurjyan said they were not in Turkey just to witness the renovation of the church, which was built between 915-921.Mr Gyurjyan said they were not in Turkey just to witness the renovation of the church, which was built between 915-921.
"We think we can discuss new projects regarding the future," he said, according to Turkey's Anatolia news agency."We think we can discuss new projects regarding the future," he said, according to Turkey's Anatolia news agency.
"Our experts can co-operate in many areas including archaeology, architecture and industry.""Our experts can co-operate in many areas including archaeology, architecture and industry."
Border closedBorder closed
But relations between the two countries remain tense.But relations between the two countries remain tense.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in the 1990s to support Azerbaijan in its dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. The church has fine carvings of saints on its facadeTurkey closed its border with Armenia in the 1990s to support Azerbaijan in its dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.
To get to Akdamar, Armenian officials have had to travel via Istanbul or Georgia.To get to Akdamar, Armenian officials have had to travel via Istanbul or Georgia.
Armenians say 1.5 million of their people were killed in a genocide by Ottoman Turks during World War I, either through systematic massacres or through starvation.Armenians say 1.5 million of their people were killed in a genocide by Ottoman Turks during World War I, either through systematic massacres or through starvation.
More than a dozen countries, various international bodies and many Western historians agree that it was genocide.More than a dozen countries, various international bodies and many Western historians agree that it was genocide.
Turkey says there was no genocide. It acknowledges that many Armenians died, but says the figure was below one million.Turkey says there was no genocide. It acknowledges that many Armenians died, but says the figure was below one million.