YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian community in Turkey faces security issues explained by domestic instability in Turkey and terrorist acts, expert in Turkish studies Tiran Lokmagyozyan told in a press conference at “Armewnpress” media hall. “Armenians have double fear in such cases. The first one is that the security of the state is under threat. Besides, there are individual fears for being Armenian. It is well-known that whenever such incidents happen in Turkey, minorities, including Armenians, become the first target. We witnessed that when Turkey took measures against the Kurds, the name of Armenians could be heard more often, it seemed as if they struggled against Armenians first of all. The police made announcements by loudspeakers, calling Kurds-Armenians as a means to offend them. Or they said that Armenians head the PKK in order to weaken that organization or bring Kurds against Armenians”, Tiran Lokmagyozyan said.

According to the expert, the Russian President Vladimir Putin has given an assessment to the Turkish policy, saying that supporting terrorist organizations will turn against Turkey some day.

“We witness just that. Turkey makes use of such incidents by launching anti-Kurdish activities. After the previous explosion it was immediately announced that it was carried out by the PKK, but a few days later it was found out that another organization was responsible for that terror act. The recent explosion in Istanbul will also be used by Turkish authorities against Kurds”, the expert said.  

Though Erdoğan serves the existing domestic situation in Turkey to his own goals, the expert in Turkish studies believes that this policy somehow weaken his stand. “The recent explosion occurred among people loyal to Erdoğan, in the centre of Ankara, next to administrative buildings. And questions arise among the public who will bear responsibility, who will leave their posts. When such incidents occur in other countries Erdoğan condemns, but when the same happens in Turkey and a question of dismissing the Minister of Interior rises, Erdoğan says that the security of the country is ensured”, Tiran Lokmagyozyan said.

Referring to the media reports that this is the second time a terror act occurs prior to Erdoğan’s visit to Azerbaijan, the expert in Turkish studies mentioned that even if there are any links between Erdoğan and his visits to Azerbaijan, it is too early to speak about that. But the expert noted that there are differences of approaches in the relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Turkey has one key goal-Turanism, but Azerbaijan has no such aspirations, it pursues its own interests. “If needed, Azerbaijan is ready to betray Turkey”, Tiran Lokmagyozyan added.