August 20, 2012 - 20:48 AMT
Turkey’s new constitution will favor Armenians’ interests more - expert

Turkey’s new constitution will favor the interests of Armenians and other national and religious minorities more, representative of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences said.

As Vahram Ter-Matevosyan noted, the constitution commission representatives met with Turkey’s Armenian community, paid heed to its views and demands.

“Hope the new constitution will bring progress at least in terms of national identity,” the expert told a press conference, adding that only religious minority is defined in Turkish constitution.

Dwelling on Armenian citizens illegally residing in Turkey, Mr. Ter-Matevosyan stressed the need to grant them the right to conduct negotiations on problem solution.

“I believe the new constitution with laws and regulations liberalized will ameliorate the condition of Armenian community, including RA citizens,” he said.

As to Turkey’s EU Minister Egemen Bağış’ possibly assuming Istanbul mayor’s post, the expert noted that it won’t affect he city’s Armenian community.