Microsoft Armenia supports the opening of border with Turkey

YEREVAN, October 2, /ARKA/. Grigor Barseghian, director of Microsoft representation in Armenia, endorsed today the government’s plans to improve relations with Turkey saying the open border between the two countries will open new opportunities for Armenian information technology sector.

“Like in other sectors, the opening of the border will bring about some problems for IT sector as well, but it will open new avenues as well,’ he said at a news conference.

He said Turkey is investing heavily in IT sector, however Armenian IT sector is highly competitive as it is aimed at foreign markets.

“A close look into Armenia-based IT companies shows that some 90% of their products are for foreign consumers. Our companies have gained big experience in fulfilling foreign orders from the United States, Russia and Europe. And from this perspective the open border will given them a new opportunity,’ he said.

A joint statement issued late on August 31 by Turkey and Armenia, together with mediators from Switzerland, said Ankara and Yerevan will conduct six weeks of diplomatic consultations before signing two protocols that establish formal diplomatic ties and help develop bilateral relations. The two neighbouring countries have no diplomatic ties, the border is closed and there is a history of animosity that stems from the mass killing of Armenians in 1915 in the ottoman Empire.

The thaw in the strained relations began in 2008 September after Turkish president Abdullah Gul arrived in Armenia, at his counterpart Serzh Sargsyan’s invitation to watch together the 2010 World Cup qualifying football game between the two countries’ national teams. During that visit the two presidents discussed prospects for engaging in dialogue and normalization of relations.

The official Ankara said the agreement on establishment of diplomatic elations will be signed on October 10 in Zurich, Switzerland. -0

 

Read the news first and discuss them in our Telegram

15:37 10/02/2009