Armenian and Turkish businessmen met in Van to discuss prospects for activation of economic contacts. As Haber 3 reported, the meeting was organized jointly by Van Young Businessmen Union and Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia.
During the event the parties discussed the avenues for finding a common ground for cooperation and signed a memorandum of understanding.
The young Armenian and Turkish entrepreneurs spoke about the need for cooperation between the two countries, and noted that business contacts should reach the level where they impact politics. Representative of Armenia, Armen Melkonyan, said that the Armenian-Turkish state diplomacy has stopped at some unknown point, whereas public diplomacy is gaining new momentum. He added that the business code of ethics is the only thing that currently regulates relations between both countries. He also added that despite the closed border, the commodity circulation between the two countries os about $220 mln, which may grow much is the border is open and diplomatic relations are established. For his part, Van Young Businessmen Union Chairman Eren Gokcenay stated that politics should not obstruct economy.