Minorities in Turkey have suffered from decades of apathy from the state, but now their case has been taken up by the ruling party, which has assured minorities that they will be treated as a primary component of Turkey instead of "visitors" or "foreigners." Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said that the rights of minorities will be given back not as a "favor," but as part of the government's duty. Davutoğlu met with representatives from minority groups and nongovernmental organizations on a special occasion held in the Ankara Palace Hotel on Wednesday. During the meeting, discussions were held concerning the problems that minorities experience and possible solutions. Davutoğlu addressed the participants saying that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has shaken off the discriminatory attitude toward minorities by putting into practice policies like the returning of confiscated properties, the assigning of bureaucrats of Armenian origin and bringing life back to their places of worship.The government has opened a new page into dealing with minorities residing in the country in a bid to invigorate democracy. The government has been exerting major efforts to normalize the conditions for minorities by giving back their rights and doing away with the discrimination which they have long faced. As a first step, Turkey adopted the policy of returning properties to minorities. Within the context of reforms toward different faith groups in Turkey, 1,014 confiscated foundation properties have been returned and more have been promised. During the meeting, almost every one of the properties waiting to be returned to the minorities was discussed individually. Davutoğlu reportedly took notes of their concerns as the discussions were held.Speaking to Daily Sabah, Armenian journalist Markar Esayan said: "There is a shift of mentality toward non-Muslims in Turkey," noting that opinion leaders and representatives of minorities have welcomed the change in mindset.Minorities in Turkey who have lived in the country since its beginning, have previously faced difficulties securing their most basic needs of security, having a place to live and freedom to practice their religion. Now the needs and problems of these groups that have long-suffered from isolation in the place they call home, are finally being addressed.Branding the steps that the government is taking as "leaps," Esayan said there has been massive progress over the last 13 years regarding minorities' quality of life, institutional problems and personal rights and freedoms."What really counts is the message delivered by Prime Minister Davutoğlu. It revealed how a mentality that once saw some sections as a threat to the state and in this way, they became the 'other,' has changed."He underscored that the mindset that sees minorities as part of the entire nation instead of treating them as "visitors" means a lot to them."There are no 'others' any more, you are not visitors, you are not foreigners, you are part of a 5,000-year-old Anatolian culture, we grant your rights not as a favor, but as part of our duty, is what they wish to hear," Esayan said. Touching also upon the article by Fethullah Gülen published in The New York Times, which was highly critical of the government, claiming that minorities in Turkey were facing a crackdown, Esayan said: "What he says in his article is a blatant and operational lie. It is an apparent attempt by the Gülen Movement to engender an image that Turkey is going through a democracy crisis."Underlining that Wednesday's meeting was attended by roughly 50 representatives and opinion leaders, which he said constitute almost the entire community, Esayan said they all expressed appreciation for the government for its efforts in easing their lives and giving back their rights.Citing Davutoğlu, Esayan also said Davutoğlu did not even want to use the term "minority," and rather wanted to see the whole nation as part of the same culture, which they mold together.Davutoğlu touched upon the 1915 incidents saying that they have adopted a new, more humane and just perspective while analyzing the events, Esayan said. He continued that Davutoğlu deemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's message of condolence to Armenians a remarkable move.Erdoğan made attempts to thaw tensions between the two countries by issuing a message ahead of the 99th year commemoration of the 1915 incidents last year. In an unprecedented move, then Prime Minister Erdoğan extended condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives in the 1915 events.Ara Koçunyan also underlined the significance of Davutoğlu opening up the concerns of minorities to discussion and an exchange of thoughts. Koçunyan said: "I have been quite satisfied by the talks we had during dinner. The new Turkey renews itself. There is always a way to go after each blessing and maturity. The new breath to be brought to minorities means a lot as part of our efforts for progress. We will continue to see the manifestations of this positive movement."Tatyos Bebek, an Armenian representative of a nongovernmental organization, also elaborated on what the discussions covered. He said they had been told that minorities would be under the assurance of the government from now on and that they would be considered a primary component of Turkey.An Armenian lawyer, Simon Çekem, also said compared to previous governments, the AK Party has progressed much in the sphere of improving minorities' lives and removing discrimination against them.