One of the mayors of Van Hatije Choban is also part of the honorable guests who have traveled from Turkey to Armenia to participate in the opening ceremony of the 6^th Pan-Armenian Summer Games that are currently taking place. Taking the opportunity, Akunq.net’s correspondent sat down for an interview to discuss the mayor’s impressions of Armenia, as well as Kurdish-Armenian relations.

In the interview, Hatije Choban mentioned that he was visiting Armenia for the first time. Choban is of Kurdish descent and believes in Alevi. His mother is from Dersim, and his father from Marash.

The mayor of Van informed that Van had sent a four-member delegation and Van’s decision to ensure the delegates’ participation in the opening ceremony of the 6^th Pan-Armenian Summer Games was due to the desire to reinforce the Kurdish-Armenian friendship.

Hatije Choban stressed that the Kurds have shared and continue to share the destiny of the Armenians and that’s the reason why they understand and share the pain of the Armenians.

Touching upon the Holy Cross Church of Akhtamar, which is the treasure at Lake Van, the mayor of Van emphasized that it’s very important for the Armenians visiting the church feel that those lands belong to them and keep that feeling and spirit alive.

“I believe the Kurds and Armenians share a common history. They need to reinforce their relations. I personally consider Armenians my brothers. I also believe we Kurds owe it to the Armenians since our ancestors also had their share in what happened to the Armenians,” Hatije Choban mentioned.

Stressing that Yerevan has surpassed his expectations with its beauty, Choban also stressed that Armenia is very impressive and that Lake Sevan is very much like Lake Van.

Meline Anumyan

Akunq.net