Turkey keeps on refusing to recognize Armenia as WTO member – Armenian minister to Turkish reporter

Speaking at the 5th international media forum ‘At the foot of Ararat’ Armenia’s Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan presented stages of Armenia’s economic development since the country gained independence and dwelt on the current situation.

Armenia has created favorable conditions for foreign investments, and investors can be sure they will not lose their money.

The reporter of the Turkey-based Zaman newspaper asked Mr Chshmarityan if Turkish businessmen could start businesses in Armenia. The minister said that Turkey has not so far recognized Armenia as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“It was for the first the first time in the WTO’s history that Turkey had applied Article 13 of the agreement to Armenia: Turkey did not object to Armenia’s membership in the WTO, but it does not recognize Armenia as a WTO member,” Mr Chshmarityan said.

A great number of Turkish products are on Armenia’s market, whereas Armenian products are never found on Turkey’s market.

“I can put the same question to Turkey: can Armenian companies open up business in Turkey? Are you ready for cooperation? I would also like to note that Turkey did not give a single sign of its willingness to change its approaches when Armenia was negotiating a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union,” Mr Chshmarityan said.

When Armenia sees insurmountable obstacles, it thinks of adequate steps, he concluded.