The interlocutor of “Firs Armenian News and Analyses” was the lecturer of Izmir University of Economics at the Faculty of Communication and Journalism, media expert Zafer Yoruk. He participates in the round table of the Armenia-Turkey relations, organized in Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Yoruk touched upon Armenian-Turkish protocols for the settlement of the conflict, saying that the authorities from high position should take proper steps-“In Turkey discussions descend primarily from top to bottom. During the records there were abatement, softening of relations, and in fact there was a public release because the state was milder.” Yoruk noted that the society has some impact on the decisions of the government.
“The Turkish government has decided on which direction to focus, but that directions are made by the society. The main activity of those in Turkish power is decisive. The healthy sector of the public cannot decide, their government should decide instead of the healthy part of the citizens whether they may use their influence.”
To the question of our interviewer whether the situation would change if the desired appeal of Armenian and Turkish reporters to be acquainted were carried out, he said that there are prejudices on both sides, but three or four journalists have thousands of readers, and they are providing something new every day and they both should develop their mindset to a proper level to be able to cooperate.
The main question directed to the media expert was that there are many reforms and questions in the Armenian government’s agenda and there might not be time for settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations.
“In any case, the 2015 year is approaching, and Turkey cannot escape the question. Elections cannot be a pretext for this case, and if the current prime minister will become a president in 2015, he will probably be able to make more daring steps. We hope that the Prime Minister will do something for the mentality has changed during 80 years in a lot of issues, opening the way for normalization of relations with Armenia.”
He noted that the settlement of the conflict depends on the settlement of the NKR issue and potential influence of Turkey on Azerbaijan with its levers.
“A very long time is required, if the issue is related to the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, settlement of economic and diplomatic ties. I am sure that it will happen sooner than expected, it will be and the first step of Turkey and Armenia.”
Zafer Yoruk concluded that he has great hopes for the future. “The 80-year of denial policy that Armenian is their enemy, but the government is changed, a few general were punished, this is a small step, but the stereotype has changed, so did the government.”
