Armenia set to open border with Turkey by end of 2005

Arminfo
12 May 05

YEREVAN

Armenia will use diplomatic channels to open its borders with Turkey
by the end of 2005, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan said at
a press conference today.

He said that the opening of the border would not result in a Turkish
expansion on the Armenian market. A similar concern was expressed when
direct trade was launched with Iran. The prime minister believes that
Armenian goods are quite competitive in comparison with Iranian and
Turkish goods.

He added that at present Armenia is trading with Turkey indirectly
through Georgia and Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Markaryan abstained from
the assessment of trade between the countries. He said that Armenian
goods also entered the Turkish market via third countries.