YEREVAN. – “Kurdish people feel nowhere as good as in Armenia, Mayor of Van Bekir Koya said in the conversation with me,” MP from Prosperous Armenia Party Aragats Aghoyan told a press conference on Wednesday. The MP sponsored the participation of “Akunk” ethnographic dance ensemble in the cultural festival in Van.

Bekir Koya stressed Armenia’s absence in Van for a long time had a negative impact on Kurdish people’s lives. Van Mayor emphasized Armenia’s friendly attitude towards Kurdish people and recalled the programs in Kurdish on Armenian radio during the Soviet period, Aghoyan said.  (It is noteworthy, Public Radio of Armenia continues to broadcast a 30-minute program in Kurdish language daily-NEWS.am’s note).

The Armenian MP also met with two MPs in Van. “Though, no agreements were concluded with MPs, certain proposals were made to consider the conditions of Armenian monuments in Van and take measures for their restoration and preservation. In particular, we talked about Vagaravank monument,” Aghoyan noted, adding the mayor suggested establishing Armenian Culture Centre in Van.