Governor of Turkish Malatya refuted reports by Milliyet that international film festival held in the city is called Golden Apricot.  

On August 25, the Turkish press responded to the publication on Golden Apricot film festival to be held in Malatya, published by NEWS.am information analytics agency. The press service of the Armenian Golden Apricot festival told NEWS.am that the Yerevan festival has nothing in common with the mentioned event. The organizers of the Yerevan festival also stressed that after they study the details, final decision on suing Turkey for using Golden Apricot brand will be made.

Governor of Turkish Malatya immediately responded to the publications saying that the festival will not be called Golden Apricot. “We know that such festival is organized in Yerevan and it is a popular event. The festival we are organizing will be called International Malatya Film Festival. However, the first prize will be the symbol of our province. The most popular fruit of Malatya is apricot. Malatya is exporting major part of apricot and dried apricot (75% of world export).  The fruit is exported to 85 countries. Therefore, we have right to call our prize Golden Apricot which does not violate rights of the Yerevan festival. If the festival was called Golden Apricot then it would be wrong,” the Governor concluded.