YEREVAN. – At present, there is no alternative to serving PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Armenian community in Turkey.

Turkologist Artak Shakaryan noted the aforesaid at a press conference on Monday commenting on the presidential elections that will be conducted in the country in August. 

As per Shakaryan, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is the lesser evil for the Turkish-Armenian community, since the nationalist parties and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) are more radical, pro-Azerbaijan, and more perilous for Armenia and the Armenians, alike.    

“If the AKP continues its existence without Erdogan, under [incumbent President] Abdullah Gul’s headship the country will adopt a more mild and tolerant position toward Armenia and Armenians,” the turkologist stated.    

He also recalled that the Armenian community in Turkey primarily voted for the AKP during the last three parliamentary elections. 

“[They voted for the AKP] for the first time because they pinned their hope on that party. [They voted for the AKP] for the second and third time because they saw that, unlike the other parties, the ruling party is more open and tolerant,” the turkologist noted.   

As per Artak Shakaryan, the AKP still remains the Armenian community’s sole option in the general political elections in Turkey.