Rober Koptaş, former editor-in-chief of the Armenian weekly Agos, published in Western Armenia, has addressed the issue of restrictions on the ability of citizens of Eastern Armenia to study at Armenian schools in Constantinople.

According to Koptaş, children of families who moved from Armenia to Turkey have studied at Armenian schools in Constantinople for years under “guest status,” but the authorities are now seeking to prohibit this opportunity. He emphasized that this arrangement, initially considered temporary, was established by the authorities themselves more than ten years ago.

In his assessment, the issue could have been resolved through a simple administrative regulation. However, after remaining unresolved for years, the strictest approach is now being applied, which could cause renewed tension and distress within the Armenian community.

Koptaş also called on the institutions of Turkey’s Armenian community to speak out more actively on the issue, emphasizing the role of the press and civil society.