Tweet
News On Border Intended To Put Erdogan In Awkward Situation
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - Saturday, 05 July 2014, 18:20
Interview with Bagrat Estukyan, editor of the Armenian section of the
Agos Weekly
The Turkish Taraf periodical informed that Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
ordered to open the border with Armenia in September. Can this be true
and why does this statement come ahead of the Turkish elections?
That's a very good question because we think that Taraf's news is not
based on reliable facts but is intended to put Erdogan in an awkward
situation ahead of the elections. We asked the Turkish foreign
ministry to comment and they did not confirm this statement.
Mr. Estukyan, what is the situation in Turkey ahead of the elections?
Today the situation is not tense because the elections are foreseen on
August 10. Prime Minister Erdogan hopes to win in the first round
while his opponents want a second round. Hence, there is no doubt that
Erdogan will become the president of the republic on August 24 at the
latest.
Do you see any possibility of opening the Armenian-Turkish border?
In any case, it is obvious after April 23 that the Turkish government
will change its strategy of dealing with Armenian organizations,
evidence is the recent recommendation of the government to the prime
minister. Perhaps, the government has revised its traditional posture
to some extent ahead of the 100thanniversary. The opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border may appear on the agenda but the Azerbaijani
factor matters which has a big influence on the Turkish government.
So, we are not very enthusiastic.
The article of the Taraf also mentioned that back in 2000 Clinton
stated in a meeting with high-ranking Turkish officials that the
opening of the border is desirable. May the stance of the American
side be somehow related to the statement about opening the border?
The Taraf has merely compiled comments relating to opening the border.
Similar statements have been made by heads of EU member states noting
that closed borders are unacceptable for a country which wants to join
the EU. This message comes from Europe as well so, if we are
realistic, this is a canard.
Mr. Estukyan, recently there has been shooting at the border with
Nakhijevan. May this indicate a tactical or strategic change in the
Turkish government over this period?
The Turkish government is good at such well-covered undertakings. I
don't know what movement takes place in Nakhijevan, what prospects
there are. Unfortunately, I cannot answer about Turkey's role there.
The Turkish participation in those incidents is still an allegation.
What are the chances of Erdogan? Is this election similar to former
elections in Turkey in terms of methods or is it something new?
This election is crucial to Erdogan because it's his only chance to
continue his political life. The Justice and Development Party has the
principle of three electoral cycles, and Erdogan cannot run in the
parliamentary election next year. Now he will become president with
expanded powers.
Will something change in the Armenian-Turkish relations if he becomes president?
There are international actors in the Armenian-Turkish relations, such
as the United States and Russia, as well as Azerbaijan. Hence, all
these sides must reach an agreement to achieve success. Erdogan's
statement of April 23 may inspire some hope for progress.
Whom does the Armenian community support?
As always, the votes of Armenians will split between the incumbent
Prime Minister Erdogan and the pro-Turkish party.
Recently crimes by Armenian citizens have been reported in Turkey. How
can this influence the government's attitude to Armenians?
The police raided some bars frequented by Armenian citizens. It should
be noted that the police did not disturb Armenian citizens because
besides Armenians there are migrants from many other countries. There
is always fear that Armenians will be deported in the course of fight
against crime but the police did not disturb the Armenian citizens.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/32695#sthash.cvdgmKs2.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - Saturday, 05 July 2014, 18:20
Interview with Bagrat Estukyan, editor of the Armenian section of the
Agos Weekly
The Turkish Taraf periodical informed that Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
ordered to open the border with Armenia in September. Can this be true
and why does this statement come ahead of the Turkish elections?
That's a very good question because we think that Taraf's news is not
based on reliable facts but is intended to put Erdogan in an awkward
situation ahead of the elections. We asked the Turkish foreign
ministry to comment and they did not confirm this statement.
Mr. Estukyan, what is the situation in Turkey ahead of the elections?
Today the situation is not tense because the elections are foreseen on
August 10. Prime Minister Erdogan hopes to win in the first round
while his opponents want a second round. Hence, there is no doubt that
Erdogan will become the president of the republic on August 24 at the
latest.
Do you see any possibility of opening the Armenian-Turkish border?
In any case, it is obvious after April 23 that the Turkish government
will change its strategy of dealing with Armenian organizations,
evidence is the recent recommendation of the government to the prime
minister. Perhaps, the government has revised its traditional posture
to some extent ahead of the 100thanniversary. The opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border may appear on the agenda but the Azerbaijani
factor matters which has a big influence on the Turkish government.
So, we are not very enthusiastic.
The article of the Taraf also mentioned that back in 2000 Clinton
stated in a meeting with high-ranking Turkish officials that the
opening of the border is desirable. May the stance of the American
side be somehow related to the statement about opening the border?
The Taraf has merely compiled comments relating to opening the border.
Similar statements have been made by heads of EU member states noting
that closed borders are unacceptable for a country which wants to join
the EU. This message comes from Europe as well so, if we are
realistic, this is a canard.
Mr. Estukyan, recently there has been shooting at the border with
Nakhijevan. May this indicate a tactical or strategic change in the
Turkish government over this period?
The Turkish government is good at such well-covered undertakings. I
don't know what movement takes place in Nakhijevan, what prospects
there are. Unfortunately, I cannot answer about Turkey's role there.
The Turkish participation in those incidents is still an allegation.
What are the chances of Erdogan? Is this election similar to former
elections in Turkey in terms of methods or is it something new?
This election is crucial to Erdogan because it's his only chance to
continue his political life. The Justice and Development Party has the
principle of three electoral cycles, and Erdogan cannot run in the
parliamentary election next year. Now he will become president with
expanded powers.
Will something change in the Armenian-Turkish relations if he becomes president?
There are international actors in the Armenian-Turkish relations, such
as the United States and Russia, as well as Azerbaijan. Hence, all
these sides must reach an agreement to achieve success. Erdogan's
statement of April 23 may inspire some hope for progress.
Whom does the Armenian community support?
As always, the votes of Armenians will split between the incumbent
Prime Minister Erdogan and the pro-Turkish party.
Recently crimes by Armenian citizens have been reported in Turkey. How
can this influence the government's attitude to Armenians?
The police raided some bars frequented by Armenian citizens. It should
be noted that the police did not disturb Armenian citizens because
besides Armenians there are migrants from many other countries. There
is always fear that Armenians will be deported in the course of fight
against crime but the police did not disturb the Armenian citizens.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/32695#sthash.cvdgmKs2.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian