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MIDDLE EAST ANC CONFERENCE ADDRESSES TURKEY'S GROWING INFLUENCE IN REGION
Asbarez
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) seems intent on
increasing Turkey's influence with such neighbors as Syria's President
Bashar Assad (2nd right).
BEIRUT (Aztag)-Leaders and members of Armenian National Committee
chapters of Middle East gathered in Bourdj Hammoud, Lebanon Sunday
for a one-day conference, which addressed the current challenges
facing Armenians in the Middle East given Turkey's efforts to exert
political influence in the region.
"At this juncture, taking into consideration the political development
in the region and given Turkey's growing penetration in the region,
we decided to organize this conference in order to consult one another
and discuss this issue," said Middle East ANC director Vera Yacoubian.
Yacoubian explained that the conference's goal was to develop a new
strategy in light of Turkey's increasing presence in the region and
how that reality can impact ANC activities in the Middle East.
The ANC leader emphasized that even in Lebanon, where the Armenian
community is an integral part of Lebanese society, Turkey's recent
overtures foreshadow growing challenges and obstacles for Armenian
communities and ANC efforts, similar to other Middle Eastern countries.
The conference participants, which included representatives from
Syria, Iran, Egypt, Kuwait and the Persian Gulf regions, discussed
the pursuit of the Armenian Cause in the Arab World, where there are
varying approaches and challenges. The imperative for the pursuit of
Armenian issues was emphasized by all participants of the conference.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Levon Lazarian was on
hand to address the importance of the conference given the increasing
level of Turkey's anti-Armenian posturing and its manifestations in
Turkey's dealings with its neighboring states.
Lazarian pointed to the so-called Neo-Ottomanism, which has become a
driving point for Turkey's foreign policy and the importance of that
approach within the Arab World. He emphasized that, more than ever,
there is a need for concrete approaches when working in the countries
that have played host to Genocide survivors.
He said the Armenians of the Middle East must be able to defend its
historic rights, but take into consideration the sensitivities and
approaches within each country.
Turkey's growing role, as well as its close relations with the
Arab World, poses new challenges for the Armenian people. This, the
conference concluded, requires a focused and committed approach to
the pursuit of the Armenian Cause in this area of the world.
From: A. Papazian
Asbarez
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) seems intent on
increasing Turkey's influence with such neighbors as Syria's President
Bashar Assad (2nd right).
BEIRUT (Aztag)-Leaders and members of Armenian National Committee
chapters of Middle East gathered in Bourdj Hammoud, Lebanon Sunday
for a one-day conference, which addressed the current challenges
facing Armenians in the Middle East given Turkey's efforts to exert
political influence in the region.
"At this juncture, taking into consideration the political development
in the region and given Turkey's growing penetration in the region,
we decided to organize this conference in order to consult one another
and discuss this issue," said Middle East ANC director Vera Yacoubian.
Yacoubian explained that the conference's goal was to develop a new
strategy in light of Turkey's increasing presence in the region and
how that reality can impact ANC activities in the Middle East.
The ANC leader emphasized that even in Lebanon, where the Armenian
community is an integral part of Lebanese society, Turkey's recent
overtures foreshadow growing challenges and obstacles for Armenian
communities and ANC efforts, similar to other Middle Eastern countries.
The conference participants, which included representatives from
Syria, Iran, Egypt, Kuwait and the Persian Gulf regions, discussed
the pursuit of the Armenian Cause in the Arab World, where there are
varying approaches and challenges. The imperative for the pursuit of
Armenian issues was emphasized by all participants of the conference.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Levon Lazarian was on
hand to address the importance of the conference given the increasing
level of Turkey's anti-Armenian posturing and its manifestations in
Turkey's dealings with its neighboring states.
Lazarian pointed to the so-called Neo-Ottomanism, which has become a
driving point for Turkey's foreign policy and the importance of that
approach within the Arab World. He emphasized that, more than ever,
there is a need for concrete approaches when working in the countries
that have played host to Genocide survivors.
He said the Armenians of the Middle East must be able to defend its
historic rights, but take into consideration the sensitivities and
approaches within each country.
Turkey's growing role, as well as its close relations with the
Arab World, poses new challenges for the Armenian people. This, the
conference concluded, requires a focused and committed approach to
the pursuit of the Armenian Cause in this area of the world.
From: A. Papazian