TURKISH PRESIDENT AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF ZHAMANAK DAILY DISCUSS ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 28, 2008

ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 28, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of
the 100th anniversary of Zhamanak daily, Turkish President Abdullah Gul
received the daily’s editor-in-chief Ara Kochunyan in Istanbul. Another
three prominent figures of the Armenian community of Istanbul:
the chairman of the guardianship of Surb Prkich National Hospital,
the chairman of the guardianship of the Karagyozian orphanage,
and the national benefactor Avet Yerkanian also took part in the
meeting. Abdullah Gul congratulated them on the 100th jubilee of the
daily and wished succees in its further activities.

During a talk with Noyan Tapan, the editor-in-chief of Istanbul-based
Zhamanak Ara Kochunyan told the details of the meeting. In his
words, the meeting lasted for about 45 minutes in quite a warm
atmosphere. Two high-ranking Turkish officials, the chief advisor
to the Turkish president on foreign policy and the head of the
presidential staff, were also present at the meeting, during which
two issues – Armenian-Turkish relations and problems of Turkey’s
Armenian community were mainly discussed.

Speaking about his visit to Armenia, the Turkish president pointed
out that it made quite a good impression on him. According to A. Gul,
some problems exist between Armenia and Turkey, due to which the
relations between the two countries are not at the desirable level. He
said that he had left for Armenia not with the aim of putting forward
some issues but in order to create such a climate that would allow
to overcome the existing problems, including those between the sides
and the regional ones.

A. Gul noted that by his observations, the Armenian leadership is
concerned about the same problems that worry them, which is conditioned
by the situation in the region.

The Turkish president underlined the necessity of displaying
a political will in order to smooth the path for solving these
problems. He said that the first step has already been taken in this
direction: the respective commissions have been given to the foreign
ministers. A. Gul added that it is necessary to take constructive
approaches in order to encourage the sides to proceed along this path.

Reminding about the visit to Baku, which he paid after visiting
Yerevan, Abdullah Gul said that both he and Azeri President Ilham
Aliyev have a positive opinion about Serzh Sargsyan. He expressed
confidence that the Armenian president is of the same opinion about
them.

Speaking about Turkey’s becoming a non-permanent member of the UN
Security Council, A. Gul stated that this fact makes Turkey more
responsible for peace in the world, especially under conditions of the
current problems in the Caucasus. As regards the proposal to create
a Caucasian security and cooperation platform, the Turkish president
stressed that the Armenian authorities are also in favor of this idea.

Ara Kochunyan reported that the second part of their talk with Gul
concerned the problems of the Armenian community in Turkey. Ara
Kochunyan raised the problems of community structures, including
schools. The Turkish president assured them that solutions had been
given, to some extent, to the indicated problems, while some problems
will be discussed and dealt with. A. Gul pointed out that for Turkey,
all its compatriots and citizens are equal.

When concluding his speech, Abdullah Gul expressed a high opinion
about the activities of the Armenian community establishments.

At the end of the meeting, the Armenian delegation presented the
Turkish president with souvenirs on the occasion of the daily’s
jubilee.