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The surging protest sweeping across the Arab world, along with the ongoing instability in the Middle East, diverted the media’s attention from Turkey, that holds a particular bearing in its relations with the rest of Europe for its geographic position and Islamic presence. Gianni Sartori interviewed for SIR Europe Baykar Sivazliyan, professor of Armenian Language and Literature at the State University of Milan.It appears that Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, considered until today a moderate leader, open to dialogue, intends to voice the claims of a recovered “Islamic pride”, – notably in the realm of foreign relations – and to reaffirm the role of Turkey as a developing power. How should this change be understood?“Perhaps we had been too optimistic in the past. Contemporary Turkey is the unquestionable heir of the Ottoman Empire, and as known that grandiose multiethnic empire lasted for many centuries, thus extending to modern times and passing down to contemporary political leaders a formidable heritage of government and diplomacy. I wish to recall the lucid words of Jonathan C. Randal, New York Times journalist. In his 1997 book titled “After such knowledge, what forgiveness? My encounters with Kurdistan” he wrote, ‘Ottomans were masters in the art of corruption and tribal intrigues, to the extent that even when they crushed their enemies in the battlefield, they deceived Kurdish leaders at the ensuing negotiating table and put them to exile, to prison or murdered them’. Indeed, Turkey wishes to act as an emerging power, but in that area Turkey has not yet reached the conditions for assuming such a role. We are aware that its relations with the Arab world are not as good as Turkey wants us to believe. No Arab country has forgotten the long-lasting slavery and harsh repressions, which in some cases lasted for many centuries. The ‘zero-problem’ neighbourhood policy delivered no concrete results. Today what counts in international affairs are the facts, since the populations themselves are more involved and informed. Ratified statements and papers trigger no more illusions unless they’re followed by concrete action. The two protocols with Armenia, pretentiously signed in Switzerland, are but a blatant example. These documents remained dead letter for the past two years, as the Turkish negotiators immediately set the conditions for the prosecution of dialogue. It resulted in an awkward manoeuvre to prevent the definitive recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the entire world”.What are the implications for the expected integration of Turkey in Europe?“I don’t think that Turkey’s path of integration towards Europe will undergo slowdowns or accelerations caused by ‘odd’ openings to Islam. As we know, EU membership status depends on the achievement of the required parameters. Up to now, Turkey has complied with only two of 36 accession criteria. This implies another basic question: today, a decreasing number of Turks truly wish to integrate into Europe”.In the past Turkey had good relations with Israel, until the tragic conclusion of the Israeli attack on the humanitarian flotilla for Gaza. “Turkey’s relations with Israel, and with the Jewish world as a whole, has been excellent for many decades. Turkey has many important diplomatic-military relations with Israel. I think that this pseudo-confrontation is only apparent. The two Countries are bound to each other by what I would call vital interests. In fact, the maladroit military operation of the Israeli special corps that caused the death of nine Turkish civilians was harshly criticised also in Israel”.A group of Armenian intellectuals in France recently accused president Sarkozy of having backed down from his original condemnation of the Armenians’ Genocide. How do major European countries approach this issue? “If Turkey has the civil courage of engaging in honest and proper dialogue with its Armenian neighbours, third parties will adapt to the trend. The Armenian, Kurdish, Cypriot questions, along with the question of human rights in Turkey, must comply with concrete interests. This is what Turkish leaders, if truly and honestly committed to pursue Turkey’s interests should understand”.What do you think of the destruction of the monument to Turkish-Armenian fraternity in the frontier town of Kars?“It only confirms my pessimism. Premier Erdogan, on his visit to the city of Kars, at only a few kilometres’ distance from Armenia, found the monument very “strange”. He therefore recommended to the mayor to destroy the work of art, created by a renowned Turkish artist. Several people confirmed that this drastic stand was aimed at ensuring the votes of the Azerian-Turks living in the city (about 10%). These votes could expand the political presence of the Islamic party”.