AFTEREFFECTS OF OPEN BORDER WITH TURKEY DISCUSSED

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: A roundtable discussion convened by the
Political Dialogue and Development Center together with the US embassy in
Yerevan on September 29 to explore consequences of a possible opening of the land
border between Armenia and Turkey brought together local politicians and
economists, whose opinions differed significantly.
A parliament member Tatul Manaserian argued in favor of using the full
potential of Armenia’s relations with Georgia and Iran and only then try to
extend the expected experience to its relations with Turkey.
Seyran Avagian, a presidential adviser, put the blame for the sealed
border on Turkey, saying open borders would benefit both nations, as “Armenian
businessmen are familiar with Turkey’s market and Turkish consumers have
discovered the quality of Armenian goods.”
A senior transport and communication ministry official Vahagn Badalian
voiced concern over Turkish-Georgian plans to build a railway connecting Turkish
Kars with Akhalkalaki saying it would further aggravate the blockade imposed
on Armenia.
According to Ashot Yeghiazarian, a senior member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, fears that the Armenian market would be flooded with cheap
Turkish goods in the event of an open border must be thrown off. He added that
open borders would first of all benefit underdeveloped eastern regions of
Turkey, while Armenia would get a transit route across Turkey to Middle East
markets.
Gagik Melikian from the ruling Republican Party said open borders would
result in more exports and consequently more budget revenues.
According to official figures, Turkish-Armenian trade is estimated
annually between $40 – $60 million and is mainly carried out through neighboring
Georgia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress