By Talar Kakilian, CRRC-Armenia International Volunteer
Over 40 leaders from both local and international organizations joined CRRC-Armenia at the Best Western Congress Hotel in Yerevan to participate in the presentation of the key findings of “Towards a Shared Vision of Normalization of Armenian-Turkish Relations” survey results conducted within the framework of the program Support to the Armenia-Turkey Normalisation Process funded by the European Union.
In partnership with the European Union Commission, CRRC-Armenia
has worked endlessly to understand, interpret, and utilize the information
pertaining to the Armenian-Turkish relationship from the 1200 households they
have surveyed. Though reactions were mixed, the survey results reflected that
many Armenian citizens, be it for economic, cultural, or political reasons,
truly hope that the relationship between Armenia and Turkey can be rebuilt and
solidified. Citizens were also very aware that such a relationship cannot exist
when preconditions are set by either nation. Nevertheless, the respondents
acknowledge the importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide when
establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey, making it the most important
demand from the neighboring nation.
Following the opening remarks by Heghine Manasyan (CRRC-Armenia),
Andrej Didenko (European Union), Vazgen Karapetyan (Eurasia PartnershipFoundation), Richard Giragossian (Regional Studies Center), Hrachia Kazhoyan
(CRRC-Armenia), and Aleksandr Grigoryan (American University of Armenia)
presented their findings and opinions regarding the future of Armenian-Turkish
normalization.
Such a survey and study prove to be one of the first steps
towards creating a self-sufficient relationship between the two neighboring
nations. Moreover, the presentation shed light on the 11 Turkish and Armenian
researchers that are currently trying to research and work towards
normalization. As Richard Giragossian said, such an effort from CRRC-Armenia
allows the Armenian citizens and the nation to move beyond the concept of
victimization and allow for validation, by aiming towards normalization, as
well as vindication, by pushing for a relationship without preconditions. The
opening of the border allows for the opening of the somewhat unrealized
knowledge, potential, and opportunities. Andrej Didenko and the European Union
hope that CRRC-Armenia presents their finding in Turkey in the hopes that a
similar survey will take place there as well.
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