January 24, 2007January 24, 2007
.Panos Trigazis represented Synaspismos Political Secretariat and the European Left party at the funeral of the Turkish - Armenian writer and journalist Hrand Dink in Istanbul, on the 23rd of January.
Cde Trigazis, who followed the funereal march all the way from the newspaper office of Hrand Dink to the Armenian Cathedral, stated:
“I am overwhelmed by this funeral, by the people's participation in it.
There is a vast amount of people and a broad spectrum of political forces but it
is obvious that the left is the major and most dynamic factor of this sad and
yet hopeful mass gathering.
The sacrifice of the brave peace and democracy fighter and passionate advocator
of multicultural, multi-religion coexistence can become the motive force that
will push the Turkish society forward, on its path towards democratization and
European orientation. On the other hand, there still exist very serious dangers
of setbacks and that is why we need to develop further our international
solidarity with the forces of the “other Turkey”.
During his stay in Instanbul Panos Trigazis also met Hairi Kozanoglu, President of the Freedom and Solidarity party of Turkey (ODP) and its vice-President Stefo Belinsoy.
In addition, during the opening of a photo exhibition in honour of Hrand Dink's life and work the Synaspismos representative had the opportunity to meet with Joost Lagendijk, the Dutch Green MEP, President of the European Parliament Delegation for EU-Turkey relations.