Turkish Prime Minister’s statement, branding the monument to Armenia-Turkey friendship as “monstrous” contains political implications, expert in Turkic studies Andranik Ispiryan told NEWS.am.

“During the pre-election campaign in Turkey Erdogan tried to get dividends inside the country. It is known Kars has a large population of Azerbaijanis, who oppose the opening of Turkish-Armenian border without any preconditions. Erdogan tried to attract the attention of electorate, dissatisfied with Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and gain their voices,” the expert noted, (parliamentary elections will be held in Turkey in July 2011). According to him, Erdogan’s statement indicates that he does not intend to return to the Armenia-Turkey normalization process. The expert stressed Turkish Premier’s statement deeply buried  the idea of Armenia-Turkey friendship.

Ispiryan recalled that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made an attempt to correct the Turkish Premier’s words, stressing the monument is subject to demolition as it does not match with other historical monuments of Kars. In this regard, the expert emphasized there is nothing left from Seljuq Turks in Kars.

“All the famous monuments of Kars are of Armenian origin. Some of them were even built when the city was under Russia’s rule. Davutogulu’s statement defies logic,” Ispiryan underscored.

The expert also noted the international community responded to Turkish top officials’ statements. The mainstream media, particularly BBC and Wall Street Journal wrote Erdogan’s statement struck a blow to the Armenia-Turkey reconciliation.

As NEWS.am reported previously, the sculptor of the monument Mehmed Aksol also gave a critical response to Erdogan’s statement. According to him, Erdogan will be similar to Taliban if he destroys the monument to peace. “What explanation will be given to the world if the monument to humanity and peace is ruined? Erdogan will become the first prime minister, who will destroy a monument to peace,” Askol stressed.

Former Mayor of Kars Naif Alibeyoglu has always stood for the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border without any preconditions and for this purpose organized a collection of signature in Kars. On his initiative, a large monument was put to represent the Armenian-Turkish friendship and peace. However, Alibeyoglu was defeated in the mayoral elections in 2009. The unfinished monument was put near the old Armenian district of Kars.

The monument is 30 meters high, which is tantamount to a 10-storey building and weighs 1500 tons.