US AMBASSADOR: OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL PROVIDE BIG ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH COUNTRIES

Panorama.am
16:47 12/02/2010

The opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and normalization of ties
between Armenia and Turkey will provide big economic opportunities for
both countries, US Ambassador Marie Yovanovich told a panel discussion
on "Turkish-Armenian Relations and Cross-Border Regionalism" today.

"Many in Armenia are concerned that different spheres of the Armenian
economics will be harmed after the border opening. It will be a serious
challenge but it will create possibilities for both the consumers
and the producers. I would not like to underestimate the challenges
but closed borders do not lead to anything good," Ambassador said.

As Yovanovich said, open border will ease Armenia’s economic
isolation enabling Armenia to enter into a market of 70 million
creating opportunities to cut economic and transportation expenses,
boost competition and volumes of export.