Semra Orkan
12 July 2022•Update: 14 July 2022
ISTANBUL
Monday's phone talk between the Turkish president and the Armenian premier on the normalization of ties took the growing optimism to a new level, said the Association of Armenian Foundations in Türkiye (ERVAP).
Commenting on the positive atmosphere revolving around both countries’ relations, the association said in a statement that the discussion between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has turned into a development that determines the agenda of the Armenian community in Türkiye.
"All institutions and organizations follow the exemplary leadership with hope and appreciation," the statement said.
While the process of normalization between Türkiye and Armenia has led to great expectations recently, the setting created by the direct contact of the two leaders through the phone has added a new dimension to optimism, it said.
Stressing that the normalization of bilateral ties would pave the way for a positive climate, which would benefit social life and institutional activities, the statement further noted that the opportunities for dialogue and empathy to appear in line with the normalization were of huge importance for the future of both peoples.
"Our society, symbolizing the continuity of the tradition of co-existence of two ancient peoples, passionately backs this process of normalization with its rich network of institutions," it said, adding that the leaders of foundations were determined to mobilize all of their experience in this "historical turning point."
Bedros Sirinoglu, head of ERVAP, said all segments of the Armenian community in Türkiye welcomed the phone conversation between the two leaders, adding the steps to be taken by Ankara could potentially not only change the fate of the South Caucasus but also open a gateway to reshape the international balance.
"The anticipated full normalization is the primary goal that requires patience," he said and called on all pro-peace people in both Türkiye and Armenia to support the vision set by the leaders.
In a social media post on Monday, Patrik Sahak II – the 85th patriarch of Armenians in Türkiye – welcomed the leaders’ phone talk, saying it built up people's hopes for peace at a time when the world was disturbed by warfare.
"I pray that the peaceful methods of diplomacy become the winner, not death and wars," he said, hoping that the discussion of leaders would open a new chapter in Turkish and Armenian relations.
On Monday, the Turkish presidency said in a statement that Erdogan and Pashinyan expressed their expectations for the immediate implementation of the issues agreed upon during the talks held on July 1 by the special representatives of both countries.
The first round of normalization talks was held in Moscow on Jan. 14, where both parties agreed to continue negotiations without any preconditions, according to a statement released after the meeting.
The Turkish and Armenian envoys met for the second time in Vienna on Feb. 24, and the third meeting was held on May 3 in the same city.
Also, a historic bilateral meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Türkiye and Armenia on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 12.
As part of the efforts, Türkiye and Armenia have also resumed commercial flights as of Feb. 2 after a two-year hiatus.
* Writing and contribution by Ali Murat Alhas in Ankara
