After attending the Global Summit of Women in Istanbul, Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan handed out medals to 15 prominent Turkish Armenians.

Author Mkrtich Margosyan, composers Garo Mafyan and Cenk Taskan and Alis Manukyan, the first Armenian female vocalist in Turkey’s State Opera and Ballet were among those awarded.

In an interview with Turkish Hurriyet Daily News newspaper Margosyan said he does not consider himself a member of Diaspora because he lives on the land where their ancestors have lived for thousands of years. He also voiced criticism against the Turkish government, saying the lack of a Turkish state official at the ceremony was disappointing.