It is an absolute failure for these people making allegations against me to understanding Erdogan's vision and Azerbaijani expansionism - Paul Antonopoulos

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During the recent months following the 44-day war in Nagorno Karabakh, many speculations, manipulations and propaganda spread in Armenian society. Current authorities claim their vision: "everyone besides them is guilty". They use various techniques to do that. One of these is manipulating foreign articles on Armenia and Artsakh, warning about the threats against Armenia and Artsakh.

One of them became well known and most discussed. The article named "Reports Turkey is transferring Syrian militants to Azerbaijan as hostilities against Armenia increases" published in Greek City Times by Paul Antonopoulos, Bureau Chief for Greek City Times in Athens. The article was prominent as the September war that lasted 44 days started right two days after publishing the article.

Showing all the necessary information proving the enormous engagement of Turkey and the presence of foreign mercenary terrorist groups in Azerbaijan, the author states that they are to be used not only in Artsakh but in Syunik province of the Republic of Armenia also.

During the 44-day war, it proved that Azerbaijan, with the definite and doubtless help of Turkey, used foreign mercenaries and terrorists in its offensive against Artsakh.

After the war in the backdrop of Armenian internal political developments and the crisis, Paul Antonopoulos published the second article on Armenia-Azerbaijan possible offensive. In this case, Antonopoulos discusses the possible offensive that Azerbaijan prepares now against Armenia.

As the first article published in September 2020, the second one comes to raise tensions between authorities and opposition. Some of the current government started to blame the author that he has connections with the opposition to the Parliament. That article aimed to blame the current government once more for losing the war in Nagorno Karabakh.

Since the November 9 Joint Statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Presidents of Russian Federation and Azerbaijan current events show us the real threat coming from Turkey and Azerbaijan, there expected discussions to be escalated, as a result of which the Armenian authorities began to accuse the opposition figures of destabilizing the situation and deepening the crisis in the country.

As the discussions were evolving, AntiFake.am decided to talk with the author of these articles, Bureau Chief for Greek City Times in Athens.

In an exclusive interview with Paul, we learn about the author's motives, his "connections" with Armenian opposition, learned his opinion and suggested solutions for Armenia.

"At the beginning of my career, my main interest was the Syrian war. Many Armenians living in Syria, mostly descendants of Genocide survivors, particularly around the city of Aleppo", says Paul Antonopoulos. Bureau Chief for Greek City Times also answers the most discussed question among current Armenian authorities. "Surely, I have got no connections with any Armenian political factions, administrations or parties", he says, putting an end to various speculations made by high-ranking Armenian officials, including Armen Grigoryan, the SC Secretary. "It is an absolute failure for these people (current Armenian authorities – ed.) making allegations against me to truly understanding Erdogan's vision, Turkey's ideas, Azerbaijani expansionism. And it is pathetic that it is coming out now after Armenia just experienced a devastating war, lost its part of historic Armenia almost of the size of Lebanon", he adds.

Discussing the Nagorno Karabakh war back in September 2020, Paul brings attention to the fact when even before the war in Artsakh, Turkey directly intervention in Libya.

"Turkey strongly supported their proxies by sending Syrian mercenaries," he says, "what happened in Artsakh, had already happened in Libya beforehand".

As to an expert from the "third side", Antonopoulos thinks the international perception is that Armenia is in a region that consumes unresolved ethnic and territorial contentions. Most people are pretty ignorant of what is happening here.

Paul Antonopoulos suggests some approaches for Armenia to deal with, one of which is to push the idea of Armenia being the first Christian nation in the world. It would be powerful rhetoric to gain more interest and awareness of what is happening in Armenia.

Paul is sure another war is coming but not very soon, even after two years. He notes that between 2016 and 2020 hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh Turkish international propaganda has been elevated, and Armenian media cannot compete at that level to tête-à-tête war.

Speaking about the intentions of Azerbaijan's ally in the latest war, Turkey, Antonopoulos states that President Erdogan is moving ahead with formulating his Neo-Ottoman empire that is infused with Pan-Turkic ideology. "One of the reasons of prevention of this is Armenia and the fact Armenia prevents Azerbaijan from bordering directly with Turkey", he claims. Other factors are Greek Naval dominance in the East Mediterranean and India that began to push back Turkey recently.

Paul Antonopoulos brings some fresh ideas for Armenian foreign policy formulations. "Many Armenians felt like the country is isolated and ignored. I would argue that this is not true because there are many countries that Armenia can reach up to cooperate to multilateral relations with if the Armenian Foreign Ministry is prepared to do so. For example, The United Arab Emirates has its issues with Turkey because Turkey supports the Muslim Brotherhood. It has proven that they are willing to work with countries on an equal basis for cooperation. Another country is Egypt which also has significant problems with Turkey", the expert counts. But for him, the most important country that can help Armenia is India. India has significant issues with Turkey because of Turkish support for Pakistan over Kashmir.

However, Paul Antonopoulos feels quite optimistic for the prospects of Armenia so long as the domestic situation becomes stabilized and has a clear strategical and ideological foundation.

 

Source - AntiFake.am

Համաձայն «Հեղինակային իրավունքի եւ հարակից իրավունքների մասին» օրենքի՝ լրատվական նյութերից քաղվածքների վերարտադրումը չպետք է բացահայտի լրատվական նյութի էական մասը: Կայքում լրատվական նյութերից քաղվածքներ վերարտադրելիս քաղվածքի վերնագրում լրատվական միջոցի անվանման նշումը պարտադիր է, նաեւ պարտադիր է կայքի ակտիվ հղումի տեղադրումը:

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