In the opinion of Pakrat Estukyan, editor of the Armenian section of the Istanbul-based newspaper Agos, yesterday’s meeting between French President Francois Hollande and the relatives of Hrant Dink must be understood as a message.

"In particular, it was to stress the importance placed on human and minority rights by France that the meeting with Hrant Dink’s relatives took place," said the Agos editor

"I should add that after the meeting, Hrant’s brother Khosrov told Turkish media outlets that the meeting was in the nature of a family gathering and that the relatives don’t feel the need to inform the public about it," Estukyan added.

But Mr. Estukyan, Hrant Dink didn’t die from family matters. No?

Of course not. But I must confess that I too know nothing of the conversations that took place between Rakel Dink, Baydzar and Khosrov, on the one hand, and Francois Hollande, on the other.

So what message are we talking about?

In my opinion, Hollande’s desire to meet with Hrant Dink’s widow and placing that meeting within his [Hollande’s] program, must be seen as a message. Such a stance is a message by itself; not what was said. But I am not privy to what was said there.

So why a message?

Because Hollande comes from a country where there have been longstanding disagreements about Turkey, particularly regarding human rights, democracy and freedom of speech issues. These disagreements have created a heated atmosphere, especially during the tenure of the former French president [Nicolas Sarkozy-S.A.].

What is the level of relations today between the two countries?

I must say that such tensions have caused serious economic damage to the two countries. Thus, Hollande’s visit was aimed at stabilizing relations and, why not, calming down tensions. Hollande’s main goal, in my view, was also to normalize economic relations.

Why?

Let me explain. Yesterday, for instance, the Turkish press was talking about the fact that economic trade between Turkey and France will reach $12 billion U.S. With this visit, President Hollande is seeking to increase this to $20 billion U.S. Naturally, the lion’s share in these relations belongs to France because Turkey purchases more from France than the other way round. There is also the issue of energy production. Now, Turkey is pursuing a policy to build special energy producing plants, and in this regard France is interested in getting a piece of the construction deals.

Estukyan added that the meeting was also important and a watershed event for the Istanbul Armenian  community.

Estukyan also expressed the hope that these processes will serve to make certain positive movement regarding Armenian issues, especially since, in his opinion, every event taking place in Turkey today is directly connected to the general atmosphere surrounding the upcoming commemorations of the 1ooth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  

Photo: Pakrat Estukyan