Turkey Appoints First-Ever Ethnic Armenian Official

ANKARA — In an unprecedented move, a scholar of ethnic Armenian origin Leo Suren Halepli has assumed a post in Turkey’s Secretariat for European Union Affairs. Ankara’s point man for European integration, State Minister Egemen Bagish, was reported to say that the Turkish government now welcomes non-Muslim minorities, local press reported.
“In 2009 appeared a need to have a specialist on EU affairs. 400 applications were submitted but only 40 of them passed the exams and the interview, including citizen of Turkey with Armenian origin Leo Suren Halepli. Leo has perfect biography and working experience. We told him that he could be authorized to assume that office. Leo asked for some time to make his decision,” Bagish said.