Russian-Turkish rapprochement cannot have any influence on the settlement of the Artsakh issue. At least, this is the opinion of Ruben Safrastyan. In an interview with Aravot.am, he described the Russian-Turkish rapprochement a process of no geopolitical significance as in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, the interests of these two powers do not coincide. They often even oppose. The Turkologist considers this rapprochement as a process taking place in the economic sphere.
Addressing the unsuccessful attempt of the coup took place in Turkey in summer, our interlocutor noted that neither in those days nor in the future, there had been targeted actions against Armenians or Christians. “I think that they were so fascinated with each other that they had forgotten about Armenians and Christians,” – said Ruben Safrastyan, adding that after the unsuccessful attempt of the coup when the armed groups supporting Erdoğan came out to the streets, they began to assault the areas populated by Alawites, who were truly a target, but later, it seems that they have stopped. The Turkologist, however, recalled the historical “bitter experience” when a situation in Turkey is getting worse, Armenians or Christians suffer.
This fact, of course, does not disperse the fears that if new riots begin in Turkey, possibly, Christians, especially Armenians, will be the target. Especially since there were extremist jihadist Muslims among the supporters of Erdoğan who had come out to the streets, who can take Armenians under their target and cause damage in an appropriate occasion. The Turkologist does not rule out the fact that the Armenian lawmakers may become a victim of “screening” in the Turkish parliament but not because of the fact that they are Armenians but for the fact that they represent the Kurdish political party.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
