MOSAIC INSTITUTE HOSTS TURKISH ARMENIAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN TORONTO

armradio.am
29.05.2008 15:50

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, independent French correspondent Jean Eckian
informed Radiolur.

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.

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.

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," he said.

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.