Ankara sees Armenia as most stable and predictable country in the region

To begin with, Zhamanak newspaper is one of a few Armenian-language newspapers published in the Diaspora.

The mass media in Turkey, including the Armenian-language press, works under certain restrictions. We do not use the term 'genocide' in our newspaper not because we deny this fact. This is a very sensitive issue in Turkey. Our newspaper publishes various versions of the 1915 events and the readers make conclusions," he said, adding that terminology is given a back seat in the issue.

The Armenian community of Istanbul is in an awkward position. On the one hand, we are Turkish citizens. On the other hand, we are the heirs of the victims of the 1915 events, when several dozens of thousands of people was all that has remained from a 200-thousand Armenian community. We have to keep it in mind. Each editor has his "inner censor."

The main problem is maintenance of the Armenian language. An entire generation can hardly understand and speak Armenian. That is why most of the newspapers are bilingual. Asbarez newspaper has been an exception until recently but now it's published in three languages: Armenian, English and Spanish. Otherwise, no one will buy Armenian press. During 100 years of existence, our newspaper didn't lose readers. We present various viewpoints about the events taking place in Armenia and Diaspora.

I think we should not fear that opening of the border will damage Armenia's security. Nations should be in contact; otherwise all the problems will remain unsettled. Normalization depends on Presidents of Armenia and Turkey. A step forward was made. But given current transformations in geopolitics, there is no need to hurry. The developments prompt that borders should be open. The question is when it can happen. Turkey is a pragmatic state. After the war in South Ossetia, the Turkish authorities concluded that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan had better go through Armenia. Ankara understand that Armenia is the most stable and predictable country in the region.

We try to be impartial in this case. As you know this word is a taboo in Turkey. Of course, we remember the 1915 events after which the Armenian people dispersed throughout the globe. But the most important task for is to cover the life of the community, which increased due to the flow of migrants from Armenia. They live and work in Istanbul freely.

True, it's hard for Christians to live in a Muslim country, although Turkey is a secular state. Furthermore, I should mention that the life in Istanbul and Ankara is different from that in other regions of Turkey. In addition, there is a great-power attitude of mind preserved from the times of the Ottoman Empire… Realizing all this, you will see how hard it is speak of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey.

The trial will resume in a month but I don't think there will be anything new. Ogun Samast, the murderer is just a youth. The court has to find out who supported and instigated him. Anyway, things are not moving. A couple of new witnesses were found. We will see…

We try to resolve our problems both on state and community levels. We have a hospital and a school under the aegis of the Constantinople Patriarchate. The EU urged Turkey to return constructions belonging to national minorities. We are allowed to build and reconstruct houses and churches. In two or three years we will have new houses. Life in a community helps to preserve faith, tradition and language.

No, not at all. The Patriarch is elected by the community council consisting of 99 people. After election, the Patriarch, who is the leader of the national minority, receives a letter from the Cabinet allowing him to dress in compliance with his ecclesiastical rank. The clergymen in Turkey are not allowed to dress in a way revealing their religious belonging. The Armenian and Greek spiritual leaders make an exception. The newly elected Patriarch also receives congratulations from Catholicos of All Armenians, who confirms his election.