Seven Turkish journalists have visited Armenia within the scope of an Armenia-Turkey journalist dialogue program, carried out by the (slain Turkish-Armenian journalist) Hrant Dink Foundation.
"The Armenians have contributed to Turkey's becoming such a strong country, and the future will again be ours," Davtyan said during his meeting with Turkish journalists.
Davtyan said soccer had created a good atmosphere to normalize relations, and he would go to Turkey to watch a match if he was invited.
Armenian-Turkish relations should improve so that Azerbaijani-Armenian relations could improve, Davtyan said.
The chairman said everybody should take steps, and problems should be solved by mutual concessions.
Davtyan said Armenia was saying that Karabakh should have the right to self-determination, there should be a common border between Armenia and Karabakh, and security of those living in Karabakh--whether Armenian or Azerbaijani--should be taken under guarantee.
The chairman said if Turkish-Armenian relations improved, (Azerbaijani President Ilham) Aliyev's stance would change, and Turkey should make such a pressure that war possibility would fade.
The head of Turkey Projects of Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia was another Armenian executive Turkish journalist met in Yerevan.
Arsen Ghazaryan said Turkey's exports to Armenia were around 300 million USD, but Turkey was only importing goods worth 160,000 USD from Armenia, which he defined as an unbalanced trade.
Ghazaryan said there were cooperation opportunities between Turkey and Armenia particularly in tourism, agriculture, transportation, informatics and telecommunication, textile, construction materials and jewelry.
The chairman said two countries could particularly cooperate in silver and diamond works, and defined closed border crossing and lack of diplomatic relations as the biggest obstacle before trade.
Ghazaryan said the association was planning to bring around 30 Turks to Armenia for a conference next month, and they were thinking of establishing Turkey-Armenia Tour Operators Association within a few months.
Moreover, Turkish journalist had a meeting with Yerevan Press Club's President Boris Navasardian. Having his roots in the eastern Turkish province of Igdir, Navasardian said if Armenian-Turkish relations had progressed, all climate would have been changed.
Navasardian also said there should be a model for a solution.
Politicians, state institutions, international organizations, think-tank and NGO representatives briefed Turkish journalists on Armenia's economic and political situation and Turkish-Armenian relations within the scope of the program, supported by Heinrich Boll Stiftung Turkey Association.
The common view of all people Turkish journalists met is that opening Turkish-Armenian border will have a positive contribution on bilateral relations, boost cooperation and tourism.
In September 2008, Turkey and Armenia played their first match in their history as part of World Cup 2010. Turkish national soccer team defeated Armenia 2-0 in this first game in Yerevan.
The two teams played their return match in the Turkish northwestern city of Bursa in October 2009. This was the first time Turkey and Armenia played a soccer game within Turkey's borders. Turkey again defeated Armenia 2-0 in this second game in Turkey.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|


















