Mosaic Institute Hosts Turkish Armenian Business Development Council in Toronto

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For Immediate Release

The Mosaic Institute

“Mosaic Institute Hosts Turkish Armenian Business Development Council in Toronto”

Toronto, Ontario, May 27, 2008 � The Mosaic Institute

(www.mosaicinstitute.ca) invited to Toronto, Kaan Soyak, the Co-Chair of The Turkish Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) (www.tabdc.org) to address a group of Canadians of Turkish and Armenian origin at a dinner reception on May 22. The Mosaic Institute, a Canadian NGO, seeks to address conflict regions of the world by facilitating dialogue between their respective diaspora communities in Canada. The TABDC is the international leader in promoting improved Turkish-Armenian relations.

The mission of the TABDC is to seek normalization between Turkey and Armenia by opening the border between the two countries, which has been closed for more than a decade. In addition, the TABDC advocates establishing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Kaan Soyak, the Turkish Co-Chair and Arsen Ghazarian, the Armenian Co-Chair, established the TABDC in 1997, as a think tank NGO dedicated to improving relations between Armenia and Turkey.

At the reception, Mr. Soyak discussed the activities of the TABDC, including cultural and business roundtables between the two countries, as well as “track II” diplomacy efforts.

The Embassies of both Turkey and Armenia in Ottawa sent senior representatives to the Toronto meeting convened by the Mosaic Institute. In addition, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada sent a senior diplomat to be present at the Mosaic Institute event.

“There was a wonderful atmosphere of respect and willingness to listen” said Vahan Kololian, Chairman of the Mosaic Institute. “Clearly the TABDC is doing important work in the Caucasus region, and it is important for them to know that many in the Turkish and Armenian diaspora support their efforts.”

There appeared to be a collective recognition that the deep-seated issues of genocide recognition and the territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh, have kept Turkey and Armenia apart.

In summarizing the event on May 22, Mr. Soyak said, “While we recognize these two issues are divisive, it is the position of the TABDC that diplomatic relations and open borders can be achieved, while the genocide issue and the Nagorno Karabakh issue continue to be studied and discussed. Many countries have disputes with their neighbours, but they still have diplomatic relations and promote open borders.”

For further information, please contact:

Vahan Kololian Alidad Mafinezam

Chairman Director of Research

News Source:  THE MOSAIC INSTITUTE 29.05.2008