VAN, Turkey—Armenian inscriptions have been added to signboards on the streets of the city of Artamed (Edremit) in the Van Province in Turkey, EremeniHaber.com reports.

The initiative aims to stop hostile perceptions of Armenians and create sympathy towards them, said Mayor of Artamed, Sevil Rojbin Cetin, member of the Party of Democratic Regions.

“The Kurdish people have historical-cultural similarities with the Armenian people. Van and Artamed were densely populated by Armenians before 1915. The Kurds and Armenians have lived side by side in Van for centuries. Therefore, we’ll not allow the state to erase Armenian history and destroy the Armenian culture. We have made this step as a sign of respect for Armenians,” the Mayor told Haber 7 news.