Place of origin of Khachkars not indicated due to Turkish-Azerbaijani pressures

At its Paris-hosted exhibition dedicated to the art of Armenian Khachkars (cross stones), UNESCO had to remove the notes indicating their place of origin under Turkish-Azerbaijani pressures, the minister of culture has said.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting on Friday, Hasmik Poghosyan said the Turkish and Azerbaijani participants attending the exhibition had talked UNESCO into removing some photos of Khachkars situated beyond the borders of Armenia. After negotiations, UNESCO called for removing the explanatory notes indicating the place of origin. At the last moment, it had also removed the map.

The minister said they had managed to publish only a catalogue containing the Armenian samples, and distribute it among the participanst.

"There's nothing extraordinary about that. We encounter such incidents at all international events. The Armenians have just to be ready to voice their stance and opinions," she said.