Turkish nationalism starts at school-ageAugust 13, 2009 - 20:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "In terms of perceiving Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, Turkish society can be divided into 3 parts: nationalists, who have a negative attitude to border opening, neutral people, and liberals who positively treat the process," Turkish Studies specialist Ruben Melkonyan, expert at Noravank scientific-research foundation, told today a seminar devoted to "Armenian-Turkish relations: present and past". Turkish ideology, according to him, starts from a schoolchild's oath. Kemal Atatürks slogan saying "I am proud to be a Turk" reflects religious and national intolerance, Melkonyan said, adding that nationalists in present-day Turkish society make up a majority. The expert brought the example of Turkish chauvinists who mounted a protest against the proposal to organize Armenia-Turkey football match in Kayseri, President Gül's hometown. "That was immediately followed by protests. 250 Turks signed below a petition expressing unwillingness to see Armenians in their town," Armenian expert said. In a joint press-conference with his Serbian colleague Boris Tadić, RA President Serzh Sargsyan said he will go to Turkey only in case Armenian-Turkish border opens or parties in the run-up to lifting blockade. Armenia-Turkey return match within the frames of WC 2010 qualification tournament is due in October 14, 2014, in Bursa, in the stadium after Atatürk. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said. |