Aravot Daily asked the Dean of the YSU Faculty of History Edik Minasyan about his opinion of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Sahak II Mashalian’s interview with the Turkish ‘Sabah’ newspaper. During this interview, the patriarch spoke about the US Senate’s acceptance of the resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The patriarch had said that it is painful for Turkish-Armenians that some countries’ legislatures are using tragedies that took place 100 years ago as a way to pressure others militarily, economically, and politically.
“He also has to consider the fact that he needs to be elected in the future. So, he is most likely being careful. But I think that it is not necessary to be that careful. You must be a bit daring when you respond to facts. With regard to the Patriarch of Constantinople, the individual in that position has always been under the influence of Erdogan. So, Patriarch Sahak II Mashalian is trying to be careful because he has his future in mind, but there are limits to carefulness. He is responsible for his community,” Edik Minasyan said.
Gohar Hakobyan
