The delegation from the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, which came to Turkey under the European Union-supported "Support to Armenia-Turkey Normalization: Enhancing Cross-Border Linkages Project," visited institutions including the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Iğdır Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss business opportunities. In the meeting between the delegation from Armenia, headed by Vice President Artur Ghazaryan, and members of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the parties discussed the economic and commercial implications of the ongoing normalization process between Turkey and Armenia, the facilitation of border crossings, and the role that the Van Chamber could play in the process.
The meeting marked the first visit from Armenia to Van since the Van Chamber's visit to Armenia in 2019.
"We faced criticism, but we did not give up"
Artur Ghazaryan, Vice President of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, stated that they had been working for many years to improve relations between the two countries and that, despite facing various criticisms during the process, they had never abandoned their goals. Ghazaryan said they continue to work to strengthen economic relations, facilitate border crossings, and increase trade, adding that the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry occupies an important position in this process.
Stating that they launched the project first with the Van Chamber, Ghazaryan emphasized that Van holds a special place for them because of historical and cultural ties. He added that they would like the Van Chamber to assume a coordinating role in future work involving Kars, Iğdır, and other provinces.
Ghazaryan explained that the European Union-funded project is a civil society initiative aimed at improving economic, cultural, and social relations between Turkey and Armenia.
He noted that the project is being implemented through the cooperation of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, the Hrant Dink Foundation, and the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey. He added that positive developments are taking place between the two countries and that the opening of the border crossings is on the agenda.
Will the first crossing be through Alican?
Commenting on the current stage of the process, Ghazaryan said:
"The leaders of our two countries view these relations very positively and warmly. After the elections in our country, the process continues in the same manner. The opening of the border remains on the agenda. However, I must emphasize that we still have a lot of work to do. We now want the border to be opened so that we can work with you through direct connections. In September, we would like to host an important meeting in Yerevan with your participation. We are expecting guests from Kars, Iğdır, and Van. But I would like to stress once again that we want you to lead this delegation. We are holding discussions with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Turkey. For the September meeting, we would like to welcome you through the Alican Border Gate. This will be a symbolic border crossing. And it will be businesspeople who make the first crossing."
Providing information about the purpose of their visit, Ghazaryan continued:
"We came here with a delegation of 16 people. However, we would like to host you with an even larger delegation. Our main goal here is to build a ship and travel together on that ship. We want joint companies to be established and for our business communities to trade together. This morning we had breakfast together. We began our first day by sharing bread."
Necdet Takva, Chairman of the Board of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed his satisfaction at the strengthening of the historical ties between the two countries. Stressing that trade is one of the most important instruments of peace and solidarity, Takva said that the role entrusted to the Van Chamber is a source of pride.
Stating that the Van Chamber is ready to assume every responsibility necessary to improve relations between the two countries, Takva told the Armenian delegation: "We have turned our face toward the East. The Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry is your home. We believe that through this cooperation, which we will build together, we will reach much broader geographies."
The delegation also visited Iğdır
As part of the visit, the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia also visited the Iğdır Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the meeting chaired by Board Chairman Kamil Arslan, participants discussed the investment potential of the Organized Industrial Zone, the development of border trade, and possible cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
During the visit, the Iğdır Chamber of Commerce and Industry was officially invited to the Turkey–Armenia Business Conference to be held in Armenia in September. The delegations concluded the program with visits to companies located in the Organized Industrial Zone.
About one month earlier, as part of the Armenia–Turkey normalization process, representatives of the Armenian business community crossed the Armenia–Turkey land border to travel to Kars, where they met with representatives of the Turkish business community.
