OPEN BORDER MAY STIMULATE TOURISM; TURKISH EXPERT

ARKA
Feb 12, 2010

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. Speaking at a round table discussion
today on ‘Turkish-Armenian Relations and Cross-Border Regionalism’,
the chairman of the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey
(TEPAV), political analyst Guven Sak, said after the Turkish-Armenian
border opens businessmen on both sides could realize jointly successful
projects, particularly in tourism. He said trading in industrial goods
is not enough to improve economic contacts between the two countries
and tourism can help.

Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsyan, who also attended the
discussion, said Armenian authorities’ steps designed for normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations "are well thought-out." "The
president opened a new page in the history of neighbors. This is not
a diplomatic game, but an aim to normalize relations,’ he said.

According to the prime minister, "it happens quite rarely when global
players share the same views. I mean the provisions of the protocols
on normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations are defended by
the US, Russia and Europe, and "this is an exclusive opportunity to
improve relations."

Guven Sak said Armenia is an important country for Turkey as the
routes to Russia and Central Asia lie across it.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress