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HAKOP CHAKRYAN: TO SAVE TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF SYRIA, ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE TO BE NEUTRAL
by Nana Martirosyan
arminfo
Tuesday, August 28, 19:16
Interview of Turkologist Hakop Chakryan with Arminfo news agency
How do you see the process of further normalizing of the
Armenian-Turkish relations?
Despite the efforts of the superpowers, the Armenian-Turkish relations
will not be normalized in the near future. Possible transition to the
presidential system of government in Turkey will not result in changing
of relations between Ankara and Yerevan. In the situation when there
are the protesting Kurds in the country, problems with Iran, which said
that in case of intervention, Iran will be the first to attack Turkey,
and tense relations with Syria, the Turkish authorities will hardly
manage to make the needed reforms for transition to the presidential
system of government. However, even if the referendum is held, no
special change will happen in the Armenian-Turkish relations, as this
issue enters the field of the state strategy and is not conditioned
by the person of the president or the party presented by him. One
should not wait for any progress in the process of normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations or ratification of the bilateral
protocols. Despite the efforts of the superpowers, Ankara is not ready
to that. As for activation of clashes between the Kurds and the Turks,
numerous Armenians (50 thsd) living in Turkey will not suffer as a
result of the conflict, as they are not dangerous for the Turks or
the Kurds. At present there is not an Armenian community in Turkey
as such, since Armenians of Turkey are not consolidated.
How can an unfriendly policy of Turkey affect the Armenian community
of Turkey?
At present the Armenian community is not a threat for the Turkish
authorities. The situation would differ if it would be numerous and
a serious factor just the same way, as, for instance, the Kurds,
which today are about ¼ of the population of Turkey. Today, there
is not an Armenian community as such and it is not consolidated. The
Constantinople patriarchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church has been
resolving miserable problems...In such conditions Turkish authorities
do not need neutralizing of the Armenian community.
What policy should Armenia conduct regarding traditional community
of Syria that is in danger at present?
As regards official Yerevan's position on the situation in Syria,
Armenia's decision to keep neutrality is correct. The Armenian
community of Syria should also keep neutrality. The Armenian community
should not support any of the conflicting parties, as it will suffer
losses in any case. It is more reasonable to preserve the Armenian
community in Syria than to organize their repatriation, as at the
moment the socio-economic situation in Armenia and the permanent
outflow of the population do not allow the Armenian authorities to
put up a big number of refugees.
How can Armenian authorities help Syrian Armenians?
The Armenian authorities should make Mikhail Bagdasarov set stable
and affordable prices for Armavia's flights from Syria to Armenia.
The tickets for the flights from Beirut to Istanbul cost 150-180
USD, while those for the flights from Beirut to Yerevan cost nearly
$800, though the distance is almost similar. They make advantage of
the situation and they have raised the prices dishonestly. They are
robbing the people, who have already suffered, and the authorities of
Armenia should respond to this immediately. Most representatives of
the Armenian community are not going to leave Syria, however, those
who have decided to take that step and come across such an attitude
of Armavia, lose any desire to live in Armenia. The people mostly
come to Armenia to further leave for the United States.
by Nana Martirosyan
arminfo
Tuesday, August 28, 19:16
Interview of Turkologist Hakop Chakryan with Arminfo news agency
How do you see the process of further normalizing of the
Armenian-Turkish relations?
Despite the efforts of the superpowers, the Armenian-Turkish relations
will not be normalized in the near future. Possible transition to the
presidential system of government in Turkey will not result in changing
of relations between Ankara and Yerevan. In the situation when there
are the protesting Kurds in the country, problems with Iran, which said
that in case of intervention, Iran will be the first to attack Turkey,
and tense relations with Syria, the Turkish authorities will hardly
manage to make the needed reforms for transition to the presidential
system of government. However, even if the referendum is held, no
special change will happen in the Armenian-Turkish relations, as this
issue enters the field of the state strategy and is not conditioned
by the person of the president or the party presented by him. One
should not wait for any progress in the process of normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations or ratification of the bilateral
protocols. Despite the efforts of the superpowers, Ankara is not ready
to that. As for activation of clashes between the Kurds and the Turks,
numerous Armenians (50 thsd) living in Turkey will not suffer as a
result of the conflict, as they are not dangerous for the Turks or
the Kurds. At present there is not an Armenian community in Turkey
as such, since Armenians of Turkey are not consolidated.
How can an unfriendly policy of Turkey affect the Armenian community
of Turkey?
At present the Armenian community is not a threat for the Turkish
authorities. The situation would differ if it would be numerous and
a serious factor just the same way, as, for instance, the Kurds,
which today are about ¼ of the population of Turkey. Today, there
is not an Armenian community as such and it is not consolidated. The
Constantinople patriarchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church has been
resolving miserable problems...In such conditions Turkish authorities
do not need neutralizing of the Armenian community.
What policy should Armenia conduct regarding traditional community
of Syria that is in danger at present?
As regards official Yerevan's position on the situation in Syria,
Armenia's decision to keep neutrality is correct. The Armenian
community of Syria should also keep neutrality. The Armenian community
should not support any of the conflicting parties, as it will suffer
losses in any case. It is more reasonable to preserve the Armenian
community in Syria than to organize their repatriation, as at the
moment the socio-economic situation in Armenia and the permanent
outflow of the population do not allow the Armenian authorities to
put up a big number of refugees.
How can Armenian authorities help Syrian Armenians?
The Armenian authorities should make Mikhail Bagdasarov set stable
and affordable prices for Armavia's flights from Syria to Armenia.
The tickets for the flights from Beirut to Istanbul cost 150-180
USD, while those for the flights from Beirut to Yerevan cost nearly
$800, though the distance is almost similar. They make advantage of
the situation and they have raised the prices dishonestly. They are
robbing the people, who have already suffered, and the authorities of
Armenia should respond to this immediately. Most representatives of
the Armenian community are not going to leave Syria, however, those
who have decided to take that step and come across such an attitude
of Armavia, lose any desire to live in Armenia. The people mostly
come to Armenia to further leave for the United States.