Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) Co-President Kaan Soyak says the Turkish and Armenian governments know what work there is to be done to develop relations and that he is not concerned about their making progress in that regard. The two protocols in question must be approved in the parliaments of both nations and seven intergovernmental sub-commissions will be established once the protocols are approved. One of these is to work toward the development of “commercial, tourism and economic cooperation.” That sub-commission is expected to have its first meeting three to four months after the protocols' approval.
Soyak, evaluating the midnight announcements on Aug. 31 in an interview with Today's Zaman, said: “Of course we found [the developments] positive. The concerns and problems of both sides were put to paper in the protocols. Everyone knows well what they must do.” He also said he had positive expectations regarding a solution to the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh and said that when it came to internal political discussions, he was more concerned about the Armenian side than the Turkish side.
Soyak emphasized that because the Turkish government is controlled by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), he was not concerned about the Turkish side during the rapprochement period.
Soyak expects that when the border between Turkey and Armenia is opened, the Kars-Yerevan train line will carry people and freight between the countries. According to Soyak, this would make it easier for Turkish products to reach Central Asia, traveling through Armenia. “With this route, Turkey will be able to reach both Central Asia and Russia much faster and will also be able to be reached much more quickly. It will also bring down prices of raw materials,” he said. Soyak also recalled that because the border between Turkey and Armenia is closed, trade between the two countries takes place through Georgia, and according to United States and European Union data in 2008 such trade amounted to $200 million. This figure could rise to as much as $400-500 million if the border were opened, he said. In addition, the Turkish tourism sector would receive a boost with an influx of Armenians from Armenia as well as diaspora Armenians coming to visit Turkey's East, which hosts many sites of interest to them, Soyak said.
