Armenian authorities at times make a statement that accession of Turkey to the European Union (EU) is in line with the interests of Armenia. Recently RA President Serzh Sargsyan mentioned this idea and reminded that integration of Turkey into the EU means that the Turkish side will be committed to European norms and standards. Historian-orientalist Ruben Melkonyan highlighted several reasons why Armenia is interested in this issue: “Membership to the EU means that Turkey is committed to strengthen democracy in the country and follow EU standards. This will have a positive outcome for national minorities residing in Turkey: they will feel more secure, their rights and cultural heritage will be considered as well,” said Melkonyan.

In the historian’s opinion Turkey will face difficulties to follow EU requirements because in this case Turkish authorities will have to refuse a number of their principles and approaches. “It is necessary to be very careful with Turkey because even after accession to the EU, Turkey is supposed to continue its resourceful policy of acting in its advantage,” considers Melkonyan.

Concerning the Serzh Sargsyan’s statement that Armenia will not allow Turkey to mislead the European community, the expert said: “As Europe is definitely interested in Turkey’s membership to the EU, to some extent the same European community will be tolerant to Turkish government manipulations.” Melkonyan emphasized the fact that history knows various cases when European states had remained neutral towards crimes committed by Turkey.