A delegation from the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) visited the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkey, Turkish media reported.

Within the framework of the "Support to Armenia–Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages" program, the Armenian delegation met with the board of directors, the chairmanship, and members of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The parties discussed the positive impact of the ongoing normalization process between Armenia and Turkey, the prospects for the reopening the border checkpoint, and the role of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry in this matter.

Vice president Artur Ghazaryan stated that UMBA has been working for a long time to improve relations, resolve existing problems, and develop trade between Armenia and Turkey.

Ghazaryan informed that the "Support to Armenia–Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages" program, funded by the European Union, is aimed at civil society and aims to develop economic, social, and cultural ties between the two neighboring countries.

He added that the leaderships of the two countries have a positive attitude towards the process of normalization of relations, which continues even after the June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia.

According to Ghazaryan, the Armenian side has arrived in Van with a 16-member delegation and has already conveyed an invitation to the Turkish side for a return visit.

Necdet Takva, President of the Executive Board of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in turn, stated that due to historical ties and shared cultural heritage, Armenia has always been considered an important market and a country with which it is necessary to develop cooperation.

Takva added that the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry is ready for any initiative and cooperation to improve relations between the two countries.

He recalled that a 23-member delegation from the chamber had visited Yerevan on July 15-17, 2019, although no such program had yet been launched at that time.