RE-OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER PROFITABLE ONLY FOR COMPANIES IMPORTING GOODS FROM TURKEY

ARKA
Nov 7, 2007

YEREVAN, November 7. /ARKA/. The re-opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border is profitable today only for companies importing
third-rate goods from Turkey, political scientist and expert Levon
Melik-Shakhnazarian told journalists. Along with political and
strategic risks, it will pose a threat also to Armenia’s growing
industry, he said.

"The rest of Armenia’s population hardly dreams of the opportunity
to freely travel to Turkey – their historic homeland – as tourists,"
the political scientist said.

No diplomatic relations are established between Armenia and Turkey
due to the pre-conditions set by Turkey. Particularly, Turkey
demands Armenia to give up seeking for international recognition
of the Genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Empire in the World War
I years. Turkey also has an openly pro-Azerbaijani stance on the
settlement of Karabakh conflict.

According to international experts, Armenia’s economy suffers $500mln
loss every year due to Turkey’s blockade around Armenia.