ARGUMENTS THAT ARMENIA WOULD BENEFIT SIGNIFICANTLY FROM REOPENING OF BORDER WITH TURKEY EXAGGERATED: EXPERT

Trend
Oct 27 2009
Azerbaijan

Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS), Richard Giragosian said today arguments that Armenia would
significantly benefit from the reopening of its border with Turkey are
‘somewhat exaggerated’, ARKA news agency reported.

Giragosian downplayed expectations that Armenian economy would get
a strong once it gets an outlet to the Black Sea.

The opening of the border would certainly ‘breathe oxygen’ into
Armenian economy, but the positive aftereffects would not be as big
as many experts and officials claim, he said, adding that the Turkish
government would enforce a tough policy to limit Armenian exports.

On Oct. 10 Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers signed two protocols
on establishment of diplomatic relations and development of bilateral
relations, which yet need to be ratified by the parliaments of both
countries.

The two countries have no diplomatic ties, the border was closed in
1993 by Turkey.