Investors from Armenia, Turkey plan joint hotel

Investors from Armenia, Turkey plan joint hotel

Thursday, September 23, 2010

VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU

VAN – Hürriyet Daily News

Businessmen from Van and the Armenian capital Yerevan have decided to establish a five-star hotel on the shores of Lake Van in an initiative spearheaded by the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or VATSO.

Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, VATSO Chairman Zahir Kandaşoğlu requested support from Armenia and the local Armenian diaspora. “You support us and we shall prepare the climate in which the language of dialogue will flourish,” he said.

The organization has a department devoted to relations and trade with Armenia. “We meet together frequently both in Turkey and Armenia,” Kandaşoğlu said. “The eastern provinces of Turkey have serious economic problems and a main reason is the closed border with Armenia. Why shouldn’t we do our business freely? Why should we have to spend 48 hours [to reach Armenia] via Georgia, while the distance is only one-and-a-half hours?”

Trade is the remedy to all kinds of enmities between populations, he said.

Speaking of the historic service at the Surp Haç Church on Akdamar Island, Kandaşoğlu said the event itself hints at a great change in bilateral relations. “In the old days, even talking about the church triggered harsh reactions,” he said.

Regarding the tension which ensued after a cross had not been erected on the church before the historic rite, Kandaşoğlu voiced his regret. “We had given our word on this, but we were not successful.”

The businessman said support from the other side of the border was crucial in all the steps taken. “Seventy percent of the people of Van have visited the church since 2007 and they understand what we are trying to do,” Kandaşoğlu said, adding that businessmen from the city have been discussing ways of cooperating with Armenian businessmen.

Business figures from the eastern city could import minerals and rock from Armenia while exporting meat and investing in construction, he said. “There are lots of things to do.”