Turkish Armenian Community on the Pashinyan-Erdoğan Call

The Union of Armenian Foundations in Turkey has issued a statement regarding the phone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This was reported by Ermenihaber.

The statement notes that the phone call has become a timely topic for the Armenian community in Turkey. The undeniable optimism observed at an individual level is fully shared by the administrative and institutional levels of the community.

In this context, the following emphasis was made: “Our dozens of ancient foundations, which operate as institutions of the Republic of Turkey, and all our affiliated institutions and companies are observing Mr. Erdoğan’s and Mr. Pashinyan’s exemplary leadership with appreciation and hope. The normalization process that has begun between Turkey and Armenia has recently generated significant expectations, and the atmosphere created by the direct phone conversation between the two leaders has given new scale to our optimism. In the international arena, Turkey's role in normalizing relations with Armenia promises new horizons in all respects.”

The statement also mentioned that the Armenian community, despite its modest potential, can be considered a symbolic bridge between Turkey and Armenia. “Our community, which represents the continuity of the tradition of living together of two ancient peoples, warmly supports the normalization process through its network of institutions. As the esteemed Patriarch of Armenians in Turkey, Sahak Archbishop Mashalyan, stated during one of the meetings, the Turkey-Armenia normalization can change the fate of our community. Our community, which has tried to keep this hope alive for the past 30 years, now calls on all sectors of both countries to act responsibly and with a vision for the future regarding the continuity of the steps led by Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. Pashinyan. We are also ready to mobilize all our potential in this historical phase with our managerial experience,” it read.

The Turkish state news agency Anadolu, in addition to the statement from the Armenian Foundations Union, presented comments from the union's leader and President of the Holy Savior National Hospital Foundation, Petros Shirinyoglu. He noted that the phone call was received with great satisfaction and joy within the Armenian community.

According to Shirinyoglu, the ongoing normalization process between the two countries is very important for healing past wounds, overcoming prejudices, and creating a new atmosphere on the path toward a common future. He also pointed out that Turkey, as a leading country in the region, can change the fate of the South Caucasus with its actions and open the door to the transformation of international balances. The Armenian community in Turkey is ready to contribute to this historical phase, understanding the responsibilities that fall upon it.