GYUMRI-KARS SYMPOSIUM EXPLORES TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS
ArmenPress
June 15 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri
is playing as host to a four-day symposium, titled "Protection
of Historical and Cultural Values of Gyumri and Kars and Tourism
Development. The gathering that was launched on Tuesday is the
initiative of the Academy for Education Development (AED). The
symposium is supposed to make an in-depth look into the current
conditions of natural and historical monuments of these two Armenian
and Turkish cities, separated by border and seek ways for their
protection together with exploring tourism development in the region.
In an opening speech Anush Yedigarian, the director of AED Armenian
office, said the initiative is also directed towards the development
of tourism in the region via management of cultural sites. She said
among other things the symposium will also discuss possibilities
of implementation of economic programs in close cooperation with
Turkish colleagues. Stressing that the program was not an effort to
help regulate political issues, she said diverse cultural and economic
ties between the residents of Kars and Gyumri will be in the focus of
discussions. She expressed hope that cooperation with Turkish experts
will continue.
The US ambassador to Armenia John Ordway highlighted the cooperation
between the government of Armenia and the international organizations,
resulting in restoration of a set of cultural and historical monuments
in Gyumri. He stated that a parallel development of Gyumri and Kars
would contribute to restoration of relations between Armenia and
Turkey. Wishing fruitful work to the participants of the symposium,
Ordway expressed hope that the discussions will add to the efforts
aiming at increasing the living standards of the city and its
population.
The ambassador of Bulgaria in Armenia Stephan Dimidrov, welcoming this
initiative, said dialogue is the best path to peace and establishment
of collaboration between the neighboring countries. He expressed regret
that the Turkish representatives refused to attend the symposium.
Reports on the potential of the regional tourism were made by the
chairman of Armenian Architects Mkrtich Minasian, the head of Agency
for Monuments' Preservation, executive director of ICOMOS Armenian
office Artyom Grigorian, Shirak marz deputy governor Michael Vardanian,
deputy mayor of Gyumri Gagik Manukian. This initiative financed by
US Agency for International Development (USAID). On the sidelines of
the symposium a photo exhibition will be held.
ArmenPress
June 15 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri
is playing as host to a four-day symposium, titled "Protection
of Historical and Cultural Values of Gyumri and Kars and Tourism
Development. The gathering that was launched on Tuesday is the
initiative of the Academy for Education Development (AED). The
symposium is supposed to make an in-depth look into the current
conditions of natural and historical monuments of these two Armenian
and Turkish cities, separated by border and seek ways for their
protection together with exploring tourism development in the region.
In an opening speech Anush Yedigarian, the director of AED Armenian
office, said the initiative is also directed towards the development
of tourism in the region via management of cultural sites. She said
among other things the symposium will also discuss possibilities
of implementation of economic programs in close cooperation with
Turkish colleagues. Stressing that the program was not an effort to
help regulate political issues, she said diverse cultural and economic
ties between the residents of Kars and Gyumri will be in the focus of
discussions. She expressed hope that cooperation with Turkish experts
will continue.
The US ambassador to Armenia John Ordway highlighted the cooperation
between the government of Armenia and the international organizations,
resulting in restoration of a set of cultural and historical monuments
in Gyumri. He stated that a parallel development of Gyumri and Kars
would contribute to restoration of relations between Armenia and
Turkey. Wishing fruitful work to the participants of the symposium,
Ordway expressed hope that the discussions will add to the efforts
aiming at increasing the living standards of the city and its
population.
The ambassador of Bulgaria in Armenia Stephan Dimidrov, welcoming this
initiative, said dialogue is the best path to peace and establishment
of collaboration between the neighboring countries. He expressed regret
that the Turkish representatives refused to attend the symposium.
Reports on the potential of the regional tourism were made by the
chairman of Armenian Architects Mkrtich Minasian, the head of Agency
for Monuments' Preservation, executive director of ICOMOS Armenian
office Artyom Grigorian, Shirak marz deputy governor Michael Vardanian,
deputy mayor of Gyumri Gagik Manukian. This initiative financed by
US Agency for International Development (USAID). On the sidelines of
the symposium a photo exhibition will be held.