WORLD BANK READY TO ASSIST ARMENIA-TURKEY COOPERATION

Interfax
Oct 20 2009
Russia

The World Bank welcomes the prospective opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border and expresses the readiness to assist that process, World Bank
Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.

The open border will give Armenia an access to the sea and offer
new development opportunities, she said. The World Bank is ready to
cooperate with the Armenian and Turkish governments in that project,
she added.

Armenia must be open to competition and new opportunities, Okonjo-
Iweala said.

The border opening prospect emerged with the recent signing of
bilateral protocols.

Armenia and Turkey closed the border and broke off diplomatic relations
in 1993. Bilateral trade is mostly conducted via Georgia.

According to official statistics, trade neared $260 million in 2008.