Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Ministry of Culture of Turkey with the financial assistance of the World Monuments Fund is going to restore the Ani Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Savior.

In the interview to Mediamax, Chairman ICOMOS-Armenia (International Council on Monuments and Sites), Gagik Gyurjyan, said that in accord with the initial agreement reached with the Turkish non-governmental organization Anadolu Kultur, Armenian specialists were also supposed to take part in  restoration works, however Turkish Ministry of Culture opposed it.

Gagik Gyurjyan noted that in order to avoid previous mistakes, particularly the deviation from the technique of Armenian architecture made during the restoration of Armenian monuments in Turkey, the participation of Armenian specialists in the project is mandatory.

“There are a lot of examples of mistakes made during restoration works and it’s hard to understand whether it’s been done deliberately or because of the lack of knowledge,” he said.

According to ICOMOS –Armenia chairman, Ani Cathedral should be partially restored and conserved. According to the project, archeological research and drafting works are planned to be carried out first of all. The works are expected to start in 2012 and last for 3 or 4 years.

ICOMOS-Armenia appealed to ICOMOS Head Office asking to help attract Armenian experts to works in Ani, but no answer was received.

Chairman of the Union of Architects of Armenia, Mkrtich Minasian, told Mediamax that just like in case with the restoration of the Church of Holy Cross in Van they are going to appeal to the Union of Architects of Turkey. “Our efforts are directed mainly to the elimination of previous mistakes in case restoration works start,” he said.