"Settling with Armenia is difficult because people in Turkey have been brainwashed since elementary school." Turkish writer

Ermenihaber.am talked to Turkish political scientist, writer-publicist and professor Baskin Oran.

Oran was born in 1945. In Izmir. He is one of the initiators of the "Forgive us, Armenians" signature collection in Turkey, and deals with the problems of national minorities, and his studies are also related to the topic of nationalism. His articles are published by K. In the Armenian weekly newspaper "Akos" in Istanbul, in the Turkish opposition Artı Gerçek news station. He is the author of more than 90 scientific articles and 26 books.

"Almost 2 years after the 44-day Artsakh war, a settlement process began with the appointment of special representatives of Armenia and Turkey. Do you consider the settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations realistic at the current stage? If yes, why, if no, why?"

"For a long time, at least since 2011, there has been no Turkish foreign policy, instead there is Erdogan's foreign policy, and it is fully implemented in accordance with Erdogan's domestic policy. In other words, the issue you mentioned will depend on Erdogan's domestic policy requirements. In any case, since this internal political situation is extremely uncertain, especially at this moment, the process from this moment is not predictable at all."

"The parties reached several agreements, but until now, Turkey has not taken any steps to implement the agreements. Does Ankara deliberately not want to regulate relations with Yerevan, or are there other reasons?"

Let's remind that the special representative of Turkey in the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Serdar Kılıç, said during the panel discussion held in the framework of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum."Turkey wants to fully regulate relations with Armenia."

"Of course, it is difficult to regulate relations with Armenia, partly due to ideological considerations (Islam and nationalism), partly due to Azerbaijan's dependence on the export of energy carriers, and partly because people have been brainwashed since elementary school. It would be easier if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in charge of Turkey's foreign policy. However, this ministry has largely been isolated. Both because of the domestic political role, which I mentioned above, and because AKP appoints its politicians as diplomats in the ministry. This cannot continue as it contradicts the nature of foreign policy."

"Armenia also responded positively to Kilic's proposal to hold a meeting in Yerevan. What is the meaning of the meeting to be held in any city of Turkey or Armenia and how can it differ from the meetings held in a third country?"

"If the process of a visit and immediately after a return visit is carried out, it may not matter where the first meeting will be held. For example, in 2008 President Abdullah Gül (former President of Turkey 2007-14) went to Yerevan to watch the football game, and then Sargsyan (Serzh Sargsyan-ed.) came to Bursa to watch the game. However, a simpler theme to consider in this matter is the importance of moving forward one step at a time in a relationship that is in such a sensitive situation. For example, at the very beginning, Sargsyan set a precondition for his arrival, the opening of the border, but then he came. It would be good if there were no such things in such a sensitive relationship."

"Turkey has been declaring for years that it coordinates the process of normalization of relations with Armenia directly with Azerbaijan. If there were no problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan, would there be another excuse to settle relations with Armenia?"

"In fact, Azerbaijan is a country that has betrayed Turkey a lot regarding its most sensitive issue, Cyprus. I have summarized this in my last article published in "Akos" with the title "If he leaves, Turkey will look for Pashinyan very much". However, rationality is not always achievable for ideological, commercial and historical reasons."

"Protest actions are being carried out in Armenia against the government. How will the possible change of power affect this process?"

"I don't know yet, but since history is used to make predictions in social sciences, I can say the following: After Ter-Petrosyan, who tried to establish good relations with Turkey, was removed from power, he was replaced by the pro-Russian nationalist Kocharyan, and it did not go well for these relations."