Adnan Ertem: We want to preserve the historical structures

General Directorate for Foundations Director Adnan Ertem made a statement to Agos about the urgent expropriation decision concerning Sur province of Diyarbakir.

Here are his statements: 

“This expropriation decision is not about historical structures or civil architecture. On the contrary, this decision is made for making the historical structures more visible by demolishing the unplanned structures around them. After '80s, unplanned urbanization has been increasing in Sur. We want to eliminate that. This is an authorization which will be exercised only if there is a need to protect the historical structures. Whether a church or a mosque, it doesn't matter, we want to preserve the historical structures. 

As a legal matter, expropriation of historical structures is difficult. Expropriation is thought, only when there is a possibility like submerging. Expropriation of the historical structures as part of urban planning is not a usual method. 

Rest assured. We only want to preserve the historical structures.”