Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island will be open for services, Turkish Radical reports.

After the Armenia-Turkey Protocols’ signing, Turkish tourism sector representatives appealed to the Government to open Surb Khach church for services. Van Mayor (city in Turkey) Munir Karaoglu informed that jointly with Ministry of culture they have done all due paper work for church reopening. The Mayor announced September 12, 2010 a date of possible reopening and invited Armenians to come for a visit.

Karaoglu stated that the majority of tourists visiting Van will be from Iran and Armenia. He is confident Turkish authorities make every effort to have the border open. Border opening will be advantageous primarily to Van, Karaoglu concluded.

A.G.