Ankara's policy towards Armenia remains unchanged

PanARMENIAN.Net - "All three ruling RA administrations have been trying to achieve normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties. Despite all apprehensions, Armenian society showed readiness to normalize relations with Turkey," ex-RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in his statement delivered at Fordham Law School, New York. According to him, Turkish society can be divided into 4 layers, based on mentality.



First layer includes those who have poor knowledge of their county's history and so propagate racism. Second layer is composed of conservative Kemalist elite, including military persons, more interested in Turkey's image and authority than responsibility for their history.



Fortunately, Turkey has also the third society layer, represented by journalists, scientists and artists, who could be named associates and supporters of Hrant Dink. ''This is the part of population we have to collaborate with. If ever Turkish society undergoes some changes, it would be due to these people,'' ex-RA FM stated.



The fourth society layer is constituted by current authorities, having pro-Western orientation and interested in the strengthening Turkey's role in the region. ''When I met Abdullah Gul, then Turkish Foreign Minister, he was firm in his position that Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azeri relations should not be interconnected. But Azerbaijan's strong pressure got the best, so Ankara's policy towards Armenia remains unchanged,'' he emphasized.