Monday, April 25 2022 12:06

ArmInfo.Turkey's phobias are among the factors accounting for the prospects of normalization of relations with Armenia. And one of its main phobias is an identity  crisis, Doctor of History Hay Demoyan said in an interview with  ArmInfo. 

"Today, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of proclamation of the  Republic of Turkey, serious debate is taking place in Turkey on their  identity. And people continue discovering Armenian toots, but also  the roots of some indigenous people that once lived in the territory  of present-day Turkey,in their genealogy," Mr Demoyan said. 

And it is such search that results in deep erosions of Turkish  nationalism. And in the context of the present- day reality in  Turkey, an open border with Armenia poses tangible threats, and  Armenia's leadership should be aware of that. 

Modern-day Armenians perceive Western Armenia as a faraway land  despite its being geographically close, and the opening of border  will be of great symbolic and psychological importance. 

"The possibility of reaching Kars from Armenia within an hour will  cause a revolution is our perception of territory and, consequently,  of history," Mr Demoyan said.  

And Ankara is perfectly aware of all these psychological changes in  Armenians' perception of Western Armenia due to possible reopening of  the border. So, realizing the prospects of more vigorous activities  of the Armenian element - human contacts, interpersonal relations  between Armenians and Turks in case the border is reopened. 

"In a sense, such prospects will prove one more headache for Ankara.  So I view the current process involving Armenia and Turkey as a play,  with a 'probing action' being its main goal - to probe into our  sentiments and, of course, to 'show its favor' to the world," Mr  Demoyan said.