Yetvart Danzikyan, the editor-in-chief of the weekly "Agos" newspaper, published by the Armenian community in Turkey, gave an interview to Modern.az. In the interview, he spoke about Turkey-Armenia relations, the opening of borders, the Pashinyan government, the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, and opportunities for dialogue in the region.
- Yetvart Danzikyan, Turkey, where you live, is a democratic and secular country. You probably agree with this and are satisfied with it as a Turkish citizen.
- As citizens of the Republic of Turkey, we live in these lands. An Armenian can be a teacher or a professor at a university here. A few years ago, a person of Armenian nationality was also appointed as a "kaymakam" (district governor). In addition, Armenians worship in their churches, study in their schools, and learn their mother tongue.
Of course, they also face certain problems in daily life.
- What does "Agos" serve more today? We sometimes see elements of separatism in this media organization.
- The main mission of "Agos" is to convey the problems of the Armenian community in Turkey. Our second goal is to contribute to the establishment of Turkey-Armenia relations. The third goal is to soften the harsh attitudes towards Armenians in Turkish politics. At the same time, we want to establish a dialogue between the Turkish and Armenian peoples. These are our four main goals.
- We have never observed a harsh policy against Armenians in Turkey. On the contrary, Armenians hold the highest positions and are among the most affluent business people. The normalization process is underway in Turkey-Armenia relations. What role does your newspaper play in this process? Have you tried to increase tension or strengthen dialogue? Sometimes you also include unpleasant rhetoric.
- The founder of our newspaper, Hrant Dink, always supported the opening of the Turkey-Armenia border. We want the borders to be opened. Our main goal is the development of dialogue and mutual relations between Turks and Armenians. We believe that if the borders are opened, these relations will develop further. Those who say that we create tension are probably radical nationalist circles who do not want the Turkey-Armenia border to be opened. Perhaps certain nationalist groups in Azerbaijan who do not want the borders to be opened also voice such accusations. But since the day we started our activities, we have not had such a goal. We have always been in favor of dialogue and the opening of borders.
- Journalism requires a different professional approach in addition to belonging to a nation. Do you think your newspaper has been able to maintain professional journalism by putting aside national emotions?
- The readers should answer this. But I think that if we have gained a certain respect in Turkey and in the world for 30 years, it means that we have prioritized professional journalism over national emotions.
- As an Armenian living in Turkey, how do you view the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia?
- Of course, I want the borders to be opened. There have been problems between Turkey and Greece throughout history. Wars, the Cyprus issue, and other tensions have occurred. But despite this, the borders are open. So why should the Turkey-Armenia border remain closed? There may be problems between countries, but this should not be a reason for the borders to remain closed.
- In your opinion, how can the opening of borders change the region?
- I think that if the borders are opened, people will get to know each other better. Travel will increase. As people get to know each other, they get closer. I do not think there is fundamental enmity between the peoples of Turkey and Armenia. On the contrary, as dialogue and contact increase, prejudices decrease. This will also be economically beneficial. Trade and mutual relations between Turkey and Armenia will expand. For example, goods sent from Armenia to Turkey will now be labeled "Armenia", and goods transported from Turkey to Armenia will be labeled "Turkey". These are positive steps.
- Recently, the Turkish flag was burned in Yerevan. How did Armenians living in Turkey react to this?
- We never consider the burning of any country's flag to be correct. We do not approve of such actions. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also condemned the incident. There was no support for the burning of the flag among Armenians in Turkey either.
- How do you evaluate the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process?
- Peace is always good. A peace agreement was initialed in Washington. Armenia states that it is ready to sign the document. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is waiting for the amendment of the Armenian Constitution. The Armenian side states that there is no territorial claim against Azerbaijan in the Constitution and that international agreements are superior to the Constitution. I think that signing the peace agreement would already be in the interest of the region.
- Are you familiar with the Armenian Constitution? If you were closely familiar, you would not say there is no territorial claim. Do stereotypes about Azerbaijani society and state still remain in the Armenian media?
- After the borders are opened and the peace agreement is signed, these stereotypes will also decrease over time. Today, the Pashinyan government has removed the Karabakh issue from its agenda. He responds to a woman who argues with him in the subway, and he reacts angrily to criticisms directed at him regarding Karabakh during the election campaign. I think Armenia is doing its best in this matter.
- What do you think about the possibility of revanchist forces coming to power again against Pashinyan in Armenia?
- I do not live in Armenia. I can only speak based on surveys published in the media. Currently, Pashinyan appears to be in the lead. His closest rival is Samvel Karapetyan, a businessman close to Russia. But his rating does not seem close to Pashinyan's either. No one can say for sure what will happen on election day. But the probability of Robert Kocharyan and Samvel Karapetyan being elected does not seem high. I think it would be better for Pashinyan to win for the welfare and peace of not only Armenia but the entire region.
- In your opinion, should journalism pursue the "lost status quo" or explain the new regional reality?
- Those who use such rhetoric should be asked about this. I do not live in Armenia and I do not follow the Armenian media as closely as you do. I have one or two main internet pages that I follow. Therefore, it would not be right for me to say anything about them. Because I look at the government's policy. The government has also said that this issue should no longer be continued. It is normal for there to be disputes within this country. Armenians living in Karabakh moved to Armenia. It is possible to have different views in a country. Armenians who went from Karabakh to Armenia criticize Pashinyan with harsh words. These are Armenia's internal affairs. I cannot say anything about this.
- It seems you are following the election process in Armenia...
- We follow the processes as much as they appear in the media.
- Which candidate do Armenians in Turkey mainly support?
- A total of 50,000 Armenians live in Turkey. Some of them are elderly, and some are children. Excluding these, 20-30 thousand people remain. Some of them are interested in politics, others are not. Some of those interested in politics are oriented towards Armenia, others towards Turkey. Excluding these, very few people remain. I cannot know how many of them closely follow Armenian politics. I cannot say anything definite. But Pashinyan's visit to Turkey and the possibility of opening the borders have naturally gained him general sympathy.
- Can increasing professional contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian journalists be beneficial for the region?
- Of course. Last month, civil society representatives from Azerbaijan went to Armenia. This means that such meetings can take place. There has always been a dialogue between Azerbaijani and Armenian civil societies. I think there will also be dialogues among journalists. Dialogue is always beneficial. Increasing such contacts among journalists can only yield positive results.
- Is there an information gap in Armenian society regarding Azerbaijan? For example, are there many who follow Azerbaijani media?
- I follow media organizations in Armenia that provide objective, evidence-based news and also include the views of the other side. To be frank, I follow "BBC Azerbaijani" regarding Azerbaijan. I don't know which other media organizations to follow.
- We talked about journalistic objectivity. Do you plan to come to Azerbaijan, to Karabakh? Would you at least like to see the houses and graves that were razed to the ground during the Armenian occupation?
- I don't have any specific plans for this. I haven't even been to Armenia for 2-3 years. In general, we are not journalists who frequently travel to Armenia. There needs to be a reason to go.
