They note, however, that the community has all been forgotten in the process.

“While the whole world is talking about the Armenians of the diaspopra, both Armenia and Turkey have forgotten about the Armenian community in Istanbul. The signing is the cause of great jubilation since now the road to Armenia will be opened.” This is what  Virjihan Ziflioghli, a young Armenian journalist with the Turkish newspaper “Hurriyet”, had to say about the signing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols in a converstaion with “Hetq”. 

She added that Armenians in other diaspora countries could make their voices heard but what could the community in Istanbul say against the nation in which they live. “If we look at the issue from a modern perspective, then the protocols are a positive step,” she said, avoiding comment about preconditions. “We cannot say what are the positive or negative sides to the protocols. In other words, the Armenian side must express its point of view.” She reaffirmed the Turkish position that the border wouldn’t be opened unless the Karabakh conflict was settled. 

Bagrat Estukian, Armenian editor with the newspaper “Agos”, said that the Istanbul Armenian community welcomed the protocols. “The community here has always been in favor of the normalization of relations between the two nations,” he said. 

Aris Nalj, another editor at “Agos”, the paper founded by Hrant Dink, stated that the protocols would serve as a second bridge between Armenia and the Armenian community in Turkey. “But if the border opens, the Turkish-Armenian community has its work cut out for it. For instance, there is a great demand for Armenian-Turkish translators and vice-versa. These professional must come from the community here. Then too, if diplomatic relations are established, the kids of Armenians from the RoA can attend our schools here. That will serve as a rebirth of our educational institutions,” Aris stated. He also believes that an open border might lead to more people from Armenia and the diaspora visiting western Armenian sites like Moush, Van, Kars, etc. Aris added that the Armenian community in Turkey wasn’t ready for the border to be opened, since no one has remained who speaks eastern Armenian fluently. “Students at our schools speak poorer Armenian than I do. We do not know our language to a sufficient degree and don’t know our own history,” he argued.

The Agos editor said that Armenia also wasn’t ready for the large capital influx awaiting it if and when the border opens. “Everything can become Turkish. Armenia must have the will to prevent this from happening so that it develops a healthy economy.” Asked if he saw any preconditions in the protocols, Aris Nalj responded that there was nothing in the document about the Genocide or Karabakh.