It is not easy to be a minority in any country, and it is especially difficult in Turkey, " Anna Touray a founder of the Agos Armenian-Turkish newspaper told PanARMENIAN.Net.

According to her, the Armenian community of Istanbul has been closely monitoring the Armenian-Turkish normalization. "The Armenian-Turkish rapprochement has inspired the Armenians of Istanbul. We started talking openly about the problems that were heretofore merely silent. It was impossible to imagine 3-4 years ago. We feel that the Armenian-Turkish normalization will be favorable to us, " representative of the community said. 
  
Assessing the overall situation of the Armenian community, Anna Touray said that the Turkish authorities have not yet been able to meet the needs of Turks, and the problems of national minorities still remain unresolved. "Our main problem is the economic situation. Our schools, churches and organizations are experiencing a shortage of means. Most of the Armenian churches simply do not work, because they cannot pay taxes, but the state should assist them. The same situation prevails in the Armenian schools," she said. 

Anna Touray said, the Patriarchate of Constantinople of the Armenian Apostolic Church has not been able to unite the Armenian community. "The Turkish authorities do not exert pressure on the community and patriarchy, but, despite this, our community is today in a shameful situation. As a religious center, Patriarchy cannot adequately respond to the challenges of our community, because they lack financial resources," she said.