The “Armenia-Turkey media tour,” in which Armenian and Turkish journalists are taking part, started on October 12. It is organized within the framework of the program “Support to Armenia-Turkey normalization: strengthening cross-border ties.”
On the Armenian side it is implemented by the “Eurasia” Partnership Foundation and the “Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen,” and on the Turkish side by the “Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV)” and the “Hrant Dink” International Foundation, with the support of the European Union.
Within the framework of the program, Armenian and Turkish journalists visited the industrial zone (Dudullu) located in Istanbul’s Umraniye district, familiarized themselves with the activities of the companies operating there and met with the chairman of the board of directors, Bahri Murat Onay.
In a conversation with Ermenihaber, Murat Onay touched upon Armenian-Turkish relations and the possible opening of the border.
Onay noted that when the Armenian-Turkish border opens, the industrial companies of the two countries can cooperate. But first of all the potential of the two countries, the sides with shortcomings or advantages, must be studied and identified. He expressed the opinion that very good cooperation can be created on both sides.
Murat Onay also noted that the companies of the Dudullu industrial zone are ready to cooperate with Armenian companies.
“We have no restriction in this, that is, if the borders open with Armenia, it can be very good cooperation for us, since it is our neighbor.”
Onay stressed that the governments will open this road. According to him, there is no problem between the peoples, and he added that there is no problem between manufacturers either.
According to Onay, the closure of the border between Armenia and Turkey is illogical, and its opening is a necessity. He is convinced that the two peoples both have centuries-old ties, therefore the borders must be opened.
