With Artsakh issue no longer present, closer relations will begin to form between Armenia and Turkey – Archbishop Sahak Mashalian

Archbishop Sahak Mashalian believes that with the disappearance of the Artsakh issue, closer relations will begin to form between Armenia and Turkey. In an interview with Sputnik Armenia, he noted that Turkish Armenians have always supported the normalization of bilateral ties, despite a century-long history of hostility, and urged that this process be viewed through a long-term lens.

“Both Turks and Armenians should incorporate elements into their school curricula that promote friendship. This takes time, as both nations have built their national identities around the image of the enemy,” Mashalian emphasized.

According to him, the very fact of renewed dialogue, the opening of borders, and diplomatic contacts is already a significant achievement. Mashalian stressed that Turkish Armenians are a special part of the Armenian world, having preserved their institutions and identity after the Genocide, and their experience can serve as an example for Armenia and the Diaspora.

“In Armenia, calling someone a ‘Turk’ might spark conflict. Here, if two Turks argue, one might call the other ‘Ermeni’ (Armenian), and that too is perceived negatively. We have a thousand-year history of living alongside Turks. So, over those 1,000 years, there were not only bad moments but also good ones—and it is the good moments that should be brought to the forefront,” Mashalian said.

He also noted that there is growing interest in Armenian topics within Turkish society, with increasing demand for related literature. Over the past 30 years, around 200,000 Armenians have visited Turkey, contributing to mutual understanding. According to the Patriarch, reconciliation must move from the diplomatic level to the educational one, so that textbooks in both countries include elements that foster friendship.

“Only decades of peaceful coexistence can turn hostility into history, and bring the good moments of shared life to the forefront,” the Archbishop added.