Armenia and Turkey: Regional Interests in the light of European Integration Processes

On 19 May 2008 in the office of Civil Society Institute took place seminar-debate on Armenia -Turkey relations. The seminar, entitled "Armenia and Turkey: Regional Interests in the light of European Integration Processes" brought together Turkish experts, Armenian experts, professors and students. After welcoming remarks by Stepan Grigoryan (the head of the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation) and Naira Gevorgyan (the representative of Foundation after Friedrich Ebert in RA) speakers, including Diba Nigar Goksel( Analyst of the European Stability Initiative and Editor of the Turksih Policy Quarterly); Cem Toker (Leader of Liberal-Democratic Party, Turkey); Arda Batu (Member of the Board of ARI Movement and doctor of Yeditepe University, Turkey); Karen Nahapetyan (professor in Yerevan State University) and Stepan Grigoryan, delivered their speeches.

The seminar was aimed to find out if processes of European integration in Armenia and Turkey might diminish the differences between the two countries. After discussions were held. Among other issues during the seminar were discussed the perspectives of opening ground borders, the role and interest of third countries in establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, the existing trade links and the necessity of establishing and deepening cultural links between the two countries. The seminars were organized by the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation.