Commenting on the state of Armenian-Turkish relations, painter Henrik Garoukyan stated at a press conference held today that, "Culture is a greater weapon than an actual weapon itself. Spiritual decimation is much more dangerous." Mr. Garoukyan believes that with the opening of the border the genocidal policy of the Turks regarding Armenians can become real. He said that while the politicians are doing their work, artists must also confront the issue of Armenian-Turkish relations from their own perspective.

"Yes, we are neighbors and have many desirable and undesirable things in common. But the opening of the border is very dangerous for us. We have already accepted European values and our young generations have been reared on them. We continue to interact with European art, the theater. Now we are confronting something that is quite dangerous," Mr. Garoukyan stated. In his assessment the opening of the border signifies going towards Turkey. "The Turks are going towards Europe and for some unknown reason we want to go towards Turkey," states Mr. Garoukyan, adding that, "even without an open border we are listening to that music and are seeing the influx of some artistic elements." In the field of painting, according to Mr. Garoukyan, the Turks are taking some baby steps but still have a long way to go to catch up with Armenians. "But I am scared that the routine and easily understandable has been more accessible and the threat exists that what is easily digestible will be gobbled up by the Armenian public," he commented. Mr. Garoukyan sees this as a big game that has just started, without one soldier being exchanged, and the Armenians are already jumping to conclusions as to how it will all end. Comparing Armenian-Turkish relations to a game of chess, he added that Armenians tend to believe that the whole world is concerned about them, but that in reality, Armenia is the only one sitting in front of the chess board and that it "must play this international game alone".