The Governor of the Turkish Province of Van Munir Karaoglu himself tested the system of providing Akhtamar Island with solar energy and made a statement on the matter.

The Governor stressed after a century, a liturgy service will be held in Surb Khach Church on September 19, Turkish Haberturk reports. According to him, the people in Van took all the measures to host the Armenians worthily. Karaoglu said Turks have lived with their Armenian neighbors brotherly throughout the history and wish to honor them now. He emphasized the liturgy will be an important step to the freedom of religion and conscience, adding they are all happily waiting for the Armenians’ arrival in Van.

As NEWS.am reported previously, the Van Governor personally made efforts to get permission for Surb Khach to conduct a liturgy once a year. In respond, Turkish Minister of Culture had said the Surb Khach church was not in the list of Turkish institutions, being allowed to hold religious ceremonies. In respond, the Van Governor said his words are old and the church will be open for religious ceremonies till September 2010.  Later, the Surb Khach Church was officially authorized to conduct liturgy once a year.