Turkey and Armenia opening border

Most probably in less than two months Turkey and Armenia will establish diplomatic relations and open their borders, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated. After consultations lasting several weeks, protocols on establishing diplomatic relations and establishing bilateral relations will have been signed by that time. Consequently, the opening of the borders will also be achieved.

The trade turnover between the two countries decreased in the first 7 months of 2009 by 29 percent, despite the warming in the relations of the two states. Turkish products enter the Armenian market through Georgia or Iran, whereas Armenia almost does not export anything to Turkey.

For the first 7 months of 2009 Armenia’s trade turnover with Iran was USD 77.8 million, and with Georgia it was USD 35 million. It should be assumed that when the border with Turkey is opened trade turnover with Iran and Georgia, which re-export products from Turkey to Armenia will decrease. How all this will affect the Karabakh problem, and Azerbaijan’s attitude towards such developments, are not quite clear at the moment.