Turkish Economist Speaks at American Chamber of Commerce

February 12, 2010

Turkish Economist Speaks at American Chamber of Commerce (StateDept)

The American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia (AmCham) and The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), with the support of the U.S. Embassy Yerevan, hosted a panel discussion on “Turkish-Armenian Relations and Cross-Border Regionalism” on Friday, February 12.  Panelists for this event included Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch and TEPAV’s President, Professor Güven Sak (TEPAV).

The roundtable discussion brought together representatives of the corporate sector on both sides of the border to better understand the role of business in developing relations between the neighboring countries, as well as economic and business opportunities that may arise with an open border between Turkey and Armenia.

Professor Sak delivered the keynote presentation:  “Turkey’s Experience of Economic Liberalization and Cross-Border Regionalism and the Role of the Private Sector in the Development of Relations with its Neighbors.”  The event was attended by representatives of major business associations, international organizations, diplomatic missions, and the Government of Armenia. 

About TEPAV

The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV - www.tepav.org.tr), based in Ankara, is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank devoted to independent research in the areas of economic policy, governance and foreign policy and  is financially supported by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange of Turkey (TOBB). TEPAV, as a major Turkish policy oriented research institute, has been enriching content of the public policy debates and has contributed to the establishment of platforms and dialogue mechanisms.

Representatives of TEPAV are visiting Yerevan February 10-12 for meetings with business and government officials, non-government organizations and others involved in the promotion of cross-border cooperation.