BUSINESS WORLD HOPEFUL ABOUT ARMENIAN RAPPROCHEMENT
Today’s Zaman
Sept 3 2009
Turkey
The establishment of "diplomatic relations" between Turkey and Armenia
and protocols between the two nations aiming to develop bilateral
relations are sources of hope for businesspeople in the two countries.
Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) Co-President
Kaan Soyak says the Turkish and Armenian governments know what work
there is to be done to develop relations and that he is not concerned
about their making progress in that regard. The two protocols in
question must be approved in the parliaments of both nations and
seven intergovernmental sub-commissions will be established once the
protocols are approved. One of these is to work toward the development
of "commercial, tourism and economic cooperation." That sub-commission
is expected to have its first meeting three to four months after the
protocols’ approval.
Soyak, evaluating the midnight announcements on Aug. 31 in an interview
with Today’s Zaman, said: "Of course we found [the developments]
positive. The concerns and problems of both sides were put to paper
in the protocols. Everyone knows well what they must do." He also
said he had positive expectations regarding a solution to the issue
of Nagorno-Karabakh and said that when it came to internal political
discussions, he was more concerned about the Armenian side than the
Turkish side.
Soyak emphasized that because the Turkish government is controlled
by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), he was not concerned
about the Turkish side during the rapprochement period.
Soyak expects that when the border between Turkey and Armenia is
opened, the Kars-Yerevan train line will carry people and freight
between the countries. According to Soyak, this would make it
easier for Turkish products to reach Central Asia, traveling through
Armenia. "With this route, Turkey will be able to reach both Central
Asia and Russia much faster and will also be able to be reached much
more quickly. It will also bring down prices of raw materials," he
said. Soyak also recalled that because the border between Turkey and
Armenia is closed, trade between the two countries takes place through
Georgia, and according to United States and European Union data in 2008
such trade amounted to $200 million. This figure could rise to as much
as $400-500 million if the border were opened, he said. In addition,
the Turkish tourism sector would receive a boost with an influx of
Armenians from Armenia as well as diaspora Armenians coming to visit
Turkey’s East, which hosts many sites of interest to them, Soyak said.