KAAN SOYAK CALLS FOR ELIMINATION OF EMBARGO ON ARMENIAN GOOD

[MosJan]

KAAN SOYAK CALLS FOR ELIMINATION OF EMBARGO ON ARMENIAN GOODS ENTRY TO TURKEY

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Kaan Soyak, co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Committee (TABDC) who was visiting Yerevan recently, dismissed Turkish official and non-official allegations that Armenia would benefit more from improvement of economic cooperation between the two countries.

"This is not correct, as both sides will benefit from it," he said, adding that stepping up economic cooperation with Armenia was especially important for Turkey's eastern underdeveloped regions bordering with Armenia.

In general, according to Mr. Soyak, Armenia may become an important chain in exports of Turkish goods to Russian and Central Asian markets across its territory. Soyak said huge quantities of Turkish goods are being piled up in Turkey because of the absence of sale markets.

Soyak also said the embargo on Armenia-made goods imposed by his government still in 1992 and visa restrictions were serious obstacles in the way of developing economic cooperation.

Soyak called for closer cooperation between Armenian and Turkish businessmen to seek lifting of the embargo.

But despite the closed borders and other hindrances the annual commodity turnover between Armenia and Turkey is about $100 million. Twenty-five joint Turkish-Armenian ventures, which are based in Armenia, with total assets of $1.3 billion have been created.