Four Armenian NGOs sign Memorandum of Cooperation in the Armenian-Turkish process

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS: The Union of Armenian Manufacturers and Businessmen, “Eurasia Partnership” Foundation, “International Center of Human Development” and Yerevan Press Club signed April 26 a memorandum on cooperation to carry out joint initiatives in the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Executive director of the “International Center of Human Development” Tevan Poghosyan said today at a press conference in “Armenpress” press hall that these four NGOs have rich experience in the sphere of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. “We must unite our efforts and by implementing joint programs promote the transfer of the Armenian-Turkish relations from the current phase to the normalization one,” he said. The organizations will not only coordinate the programs carried out by them, but will come forth with joint projects.

Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen Arsen Ghazaryan said that this is the first case in Armenia when four non-governmental organizations unite to carry out joint initiatives in one sphere which today is considered of prior importance. “Each of us has enough experience in working in this field. In case of joint work our actions will be more effective and we will manage to pass this difficult route more quickly,” Arsen Ghazaryan.

Chairman of the Yerevan Press Club Boris Navasardyan did not agree with the opinion that the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations has failed or entered a deadlock. “May be the first round has ended but it does not mean that there will not be other ones which may be more successful. Today we are in the phase when the difficulties which impeded the two countries to reach the desirable result are being analyzed. One of our goals will be to analyze the passed one and a half year and try to come forth with certain initiatives which will help to carry out the coming rounds more effectively. In this respect, this initiative is not untimely but – timely,” Boris Navasardyan noted.

Director of the “Eurasia Partnership” Foundation Gevorg Ter-Gabrielian said that for continuing the normalization process and putting it on a new qualitative level it will be easier to work jointly. “Uniting of four NGOs over one goal is a delightful fact in itself, and I think that in near future new unities will be registered, he said.

According to him, “Eurasia Partnership” Foundation for many years is working toward the development of the Armenian-Turkish relations on civil society level and is cooperating with Turkish organizations.

Tevan Poghosyan noted that previously no discussions were held in Turkey over the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, but today the situation has completely changed. “Today as well the discussions in the Turkish society must continue, and they will have an impact on decision makers. If years ago there were 20 businessmen which were ready to sign a letter for opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, today many business chambers even want to carry out programs in that direction,” Tevan Poghosyan said.

Arsen Ghazaryan said formation of public opinion and having an impact on it is very important. “If we do not have impact on the opinion of the Turkish society there will not be a cluster which will make the political figures change. “The ‘caravan’ of Turks is Armenia and through us they must be cleaned and enter the system of European values, which is very important,” A. Ghazaryan added.

The Union of Armenian Manufacturers and Businessmen has a representation in Istanbul which is studying the Turkish market to find out which Armenian products may compete in Turkey.

ARMENPRESS

28.04.2010