Inspectors of the Turkish Ministry of Finance are inspecting Armenian schools for the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey, reports Ermenihaber.am, according to Agos Weekly.

The issue of recognizing Armenian schools as economic entities was introduced in March of this year. The General Department of Foundations of Turkey had addressed letters to Armenian schools, informing them that the schools would be considered an economic entity and would be levied taxes in case of receiving donations from families.

Financial coordinator of the Platform for Solidarity and Relations between Funds and Foundations (VADIP) Massis Yontan, international tax law expert Areg Ferahian and members of the education committee met with lawyers Sebu Aslangil and Omer Kantik to discuss the issue. VADIP’s general secretary Harutioun Shanli informed that the meeting was quite effective and that all the sides had shared their views on the issue.

Shanli also informed that they would be demanding a meeting with the newly appointed Turkish ministers of finance and education immediately after the formation of the new Turkish cabinet.

“We’ll wait for the results after the visit of the delegation comprised of lawyers and advisers. If the issue remains unsolved because of the issue of economic entities, we will go to court,” Shanli said.

The latter reminded that Law N5580 on General Education in Turkey emphasizes that Armenian schools are not private schools, but schools of an ethnic minority. According to Shanli, this law will be their major argument during the possible legal procedure.