Zahir Kandasoglu, the Head of Van's Commerce and Industry chamber demanded the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border for a week for the Armenians to easily arrive in Van to participate in the opening ceremony of Surb Khach Church on Akhtamar.

Kandasoglu stressed the opening of Surb Khach inspired many people, as it will be a positive impetus for the economic, social and cultural processes in the eastern regions of Turkey.  He noted the delegation of the Van’s commerce and industry chamber was the first to visit Armenia in May 2010 after the Armenia-Turkey accords were signed.

According to him, Armenians will have difficulties in arriving in Van, as the road via Georgia is rather long. Turkish official noted it takes 4 hours to reach Van from Yerevan through customs check-point, whereas it took them 26 hours to arrive in Yerevan via Georgia. It would be better to temporarily open the border for a week before September 19, he said. Van’s commerce and industry chamber calls on to open it and expects the request will have a positive response, he stressed, adding earlier Turkey temporarily opened the border with other countries.

As NEWS.am reported previously, in May 2010 the Turkish delegation, including businessmen and representatives of travel agencies, led by the Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zahir Kandasoglu,  participated in the international tourism exhibition in Yerevan and signed a memorandum with the Armenian Commerce and Industry Chamber.