Business leaders urge the opening of borders

In a recent joint statement, the chairmen of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia and the American Business Forum in Turkey, both affiliates of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, voiced strong support for, “the unprecedented efforts recently undertaken by President Serge Sarkisian and President Abdullah Gül to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey.”

Turkey should have taken steps toward the normalization of relations with Armenia 10 years ago, Galip Sukaya, chairman of the American Business Forum in Turkey, or ABFT, told the Hürriyet Daily News.

“Turkey is one of the biggest countries in the region and due to its position, can assume an important role,” he said.

Explaining how he and David Atanessyan, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, came up with the idea of engaging in joint activities, Sukaya said they had met frequently at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “If Turkish-Armenian diplomatic relations are normalized, we could work together in a consortium of regional states, including Georgia,” he said, adding that during meetings they also exchanged opinions with Azerbaijani representatives.

Economic loss
“Products exported from Turkey to Armenia are carried via Georgia. This results in a major economic loss. Another important point is that the development of good neighborly relations and trade between Turkey and Armenia would also contribute to the development of east Turkey,” Sukaya said.

The recent developments initiated by the two countries’ leaders “in the spirit of fostering regional peace, security and stability have already manifested a historic shift in relations between the two countries," said the statement. “Undoubtedly this will have a tremendous economic and political impact on the region. These developments encourage increased economic cooperation while fostering greater regional security and engagement among business, political, economic, cultural, and social spheres," it said.