Yerevan hosts Armenian-Turkish talks on trade, investment

Representatives of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) and Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Van TSO), meeting in Yerevan on September 3-4, discussed opportunities for mutual trade and investment and assessed prospects for joint work between the business communities of the two countries and for developing existing economic relations. This was stated in a message by the organizations concerning normalization of relations, opening border checkpoints and economic cooperation.

They consider the meeting an important and significant step toward normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia and developing economic cooperation, Armenpress reports.

“We believe the business community can make a significant contribution to developing relations based on mutual understanding, trust and shared economic interests, regardless of borders and political differences.

We believe that developing economic and trade relations between Turkey and Armenia will make a significant contribution not only to the business communities of both countries, but also to the economic and social development of border regions, as well as Van and Yerevan.

In this context, the following are important:

• Increasing trade volumes between the two countries.
• Opening border checkpoints between Turkey and Armenia and mutually facilitating border crossings.
• Improving transport links and making more efficient use of existing communication routes.
• Increasing reciprocal visits by businesspeople and bilateral business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
• Assessing opportunities for joint investment and production.
• Strengthening cooperation in tourism, logistics, agriculture, food, textiles, all branches of industry and services.
• Establishing sustainable corporate communication within the business community.

We believe:

Opening border checkpoints means not only stimulating trade but also taking an important step toward normalization of relations, which will help strengthen contacts, economic interaction and mutual trust between the peoples of the two countries. Opening the borders is of major importance for trade, investment, tourism and cultural interaction and for unlocking the region’s economic potential.

Van can become a natural bridge for trade and logistics between Turkey and the Caucasus, while strengthening economic relations between Van and Yerevan will contribute to developing regional trade and enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The contacts established in Yerevan should not remain limited to business meetings; they should continue through reciprocal visits, trade ties and concrete cooperation. We emphasize that opening border checkpoints and establishing regular trade routes are among the most important steps toward making this process permanent and sustainable.

We view these contacts between the business communities as a constructive initiative that, from a socioeconomic perspective, contributes to the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the prospects of the South Caucasus, and we express our determination to continue efforts to strengthen mutual trust, develop trade relations, open border checkpoints and support regional peace and prosperity.

The Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia and Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry agree that trade is one of the most powerful tools for strengthening mutual trust: border checkpoints connect peoples and economies, while economic cooperation contributes to building lasting relations.

With this understanding, we respectfully inform the public that we will continue our efforts to improve communication and cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, increase trade volumes and support the process of opening border checkpoints,” the statement said.