PRESS RELEASE
Mosaic Institute
Contact: Kathleen Vesely
2 Bloor Street West
Suite 3400
Toronto ON M4W 3E2
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f. 416.644.6001
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The Mosaic Institute
"Mosaic Institute Hosts Turkish Armenian Business Development Council in
Toronto"
Toronto, Ontario, May 27, 2008 – The Mosaic Institute
() invited to Toronto, Kaan Soyak, the Co-Chair of The
Turkish Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) () to
address a group of Canadians of Turkish and Armenian origin at a dinner
reception on May 22. The Mosaic Institute, a Canadian NGO, seeks to address
conflict regions of the world by facilitating dialogue between their
respective diaspora communities in Canada. The TABDC is the international
leader in promoting improved Turkish-Armenian relations.
The mission of the TABDC is to seek normalization between Turkey and Armenia
by opening the border between the two countries, which has been closed for
more than a decade. In addition, the TABDC advocates establishing
diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia.
Kaan Soyak, the Turkish Co-Chair and Arsen Ghazarian, the Armenian Co-Chair,
established the TABDC in 1997, as a think tank NGO dedicated to improving
relations between Armenia and Turkey.
At the reception, Mr. Soyak discussed the activities of the TABDC, including
cultural and business roundtables between the two countries, as well as
"track II" diplomacy efforts.
The Embassies of both Turkey and Armenia in Ottawa sent senior
representatives to the Toronto meeting convened by the Mosaic Institute. In
addition, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada sent a senior
diplomat to be present at the Mosaic Institute event.
"There was a wonderful atmosphere of respect and willingness to listen" said
Vahan Kololian, Chairman of the Mosaic Institute. "Clearly the TABDC is
doing important work in the Caucuses region, and it is important for them to
know that many in the Turkish and Armenian diaspora support their efforts."
There appeared to be a collective recognition that the deep-seated issues of
genocide recognition and the territorial dispute between Armenia and
Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh, have kept Turkey and Armenia apart.
In summarizing the event on May 22, Mr. Soyak said, "While we recognize
these two issues are divisive, it is the position of the TABDC that
diplomatic relations and open borders can be achieved, while the genocide
issue and the Nagorno Karabakh issue continue to be studied and discussed.
Many countries have disputes with their neighbours, but they still have
diplomatic relations and promote open borders."
For further information, please contact:
Vahan Kololian Alidad Mafinezam
Chairman Director of Research
The Mosaic Institute The Mosaic Institute
416.644.6000 x200 416.644.6000 x 610
[email protected]
[email protected]