YEREVAN. – Numerous Armenian businessmen and their Turkish partners speak in favor of normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey, specifically in foreign trade. 

The Turkish government, however, is guided by political—and not economic—considerations and it posits impossible conditions before Armenia.   

This year’s misbalance in the Armenia-Turkey trade—via a third country—made up $212.6 million, and the difference between exports and imports is 230 times more, all in Turkey’s favor.

In the case of a “free” trade, the negative balance in Armenia’s foreign trade with Turkey could grow further, whereas exports remain on the previous level, since Turkish businessmen buy raw materials—and not finished products—from Armenia.

In line with last year’s data, Armenia exported 55 product groups to Turkey, but imported over 500 product groups from that country.

Armenia primarily imports wooden tiles from Turkey. Second are plastic mono threads, and third are washing and cleaning products. 

In January-April 2013, the volume of Turkish exports to Armenia made up more than $56.5 million, whereas Armenia’s exports to Turkey totaled $800,000. 

By Albert Khachatryan