In fifty years, in the June 2011 parliamentary elections in Turkey Armenian candidates will run for Parliament, Rober Koptaş, Editor-in-Chief of the Istanbul-based Armenian weekly Agos, told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“In one of the three Istanbul constituencies, where many Armenians reside, independent Armenian candidates will run for Parliament. They will be named after everything is clear,” Koptaş said.

Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan intends to nominate Armenian candidate, trying to show his attention to national minorities and get additional votes.

As regards the failed attempt to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, Koptaş hopes the process will be continued after this June. “The Turkish authorities did not expect the Armenian-Turkish protocols would cause violent protests in Turkey and among Turkish nationalists. Premier Erdigna had to suspend the reconciliation process, as the domestic political situation and his party’s rating proved more important for him,” Koptaş said.

He does not share the opinion that Premier Erdogan is leading Turkey on the way to Islamization. “No, it is impossible. States similar to Erdogan’s statement on restrictions on alcoholic beverages are made worldwide. Walking along Istanbul streets you could see what people wear and how they live. So reversion to Islamization is unlikely. Erdogan’s well aware of it, and will never make such a step,” Koptaş said.