By nominating Armenians in the forthcoming parliamentary elections this year Turkey wants to show that it is changing its attitude to the Christian national minorities, Stepan Grigoryan, Head of the Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation, told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The expert believes this step reflects Turkey’s desire to show the world it is a state respecting national minorities and human rights.

By nominating Armenians, Turkey wants to show it is changing its policy to national minorities, and the messages are first of all intended for Europe. “I see positive points for the Armenia side in this situation,” the expert said.

Grigoryan disagrees with the experts who claim the Justice and Development Party is seeking Armenian votes “I do not think so. According to the official data, 60 to 70 thousand Armenians currently reside in Turkey. Even if it is an underestimate, the Armenian community’s votes do not play an essential role in a country with a population of 75 million,” Grigoryan said.   

Armenian News-NEWS.am reminds readers that the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party has named the Istanbul Armenians who will run for Parliament in the 2011 elections.

Erdogan’s party named the following candidates: Melkon Karakose, Tatyos Bebek, Markar Esayan, Jerry Hrimyan and Bedros Sirinoglu.

The oppositional Nationalist Movement Party plans to nominate Gegham Karapetyan.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Arev Cebeci, Armenian by origin, will seek parliamentary deputy post from Republican People’s Party. Earlier Cebeci said he would bring community’s problems to the fore  but would also  represent Turkey as well.

The Kurdish Peace and Democracy party decided to nominate the candidacy of the famous writer, journalist Hayko Baghdad in the parliamentary elections.