Tourism, logistics, IT: Güven Sak outlines potential areas for economic cooperation between Armenia and Türkiye

As the process of normalising relations between Armenia and Türkiye progresses, discussions have also intensified over the sectors in which the two countries could begin economic cooperation once their border is opened and diplomatic relations are established following the negotiations.

Alongside the political dialogue, there has already been some movement towards economic cooperation. In particular, representatives of Armenian and Turkish business circles met in Kars on June 2, 2026, to discuss potential areas of cooperation.

The venue and date of the next meeting have already been set. A second meeting between Armenian and Turkish business representatives will take place in Yerevan in early September 2026.

In an interview with Armenpress, Güven Sak, economist and Executive Director of the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV), discussed the prospects for economic cooperation between Armenia and Türkiye.

Sak stressed that Turkish goods had already had access to the Armenian market via Georgia, while Armenian goods could likewise reach the Turkish market through the same route. However, he said the possible opening of the border between the two countries would usher in a new stage of economic cooperation, enhancing the competitiveness and diversification of Armenia’s economy while also benefiting Türkiye’s economy.

“We are now looking for sectors where cooperation can be established. At present, we are considering two or three main areas.

The first is tourism cooperation between tour operators in the two countries.

The second, I believe, is logistics cooperation, because the TRIPP route is not only about that 40-kilometre section. On one side, it will extend eastwards through the Caspian Sea to Central Asia, and on the other towards Europe. That is why cooperation on logistics infrastructure is needed.

We are also looking at cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies. Armenia has certain potential in this area. We are seeking cooperation between Turkish and Armenian companies.

We can also talk about cooperation in the food industry because there are agricultural areas just across the border crossing. Armenia has extensive agricultural land. So it may also be possible to identify areas of cooperation in that direction, but we will see. There is no need to rush,” Sak said.

From the perspective of promoting tourism cooperation, the Turkish economist highlighted the restoration of the historic Ani Bridge, for which Armenia and Türkiye signed a protocol in May 2026.

Sak expressed the view that the bridge could become not only a symbol of connectivity but also of tourism exchanges, allowing visitors to cross the border from one side to the other.

The Turkish economist also addressed discussions in Armenia suggesting that opening the border with Türkiye could harm Armenia’s economy and domestic producers.

“I first visited Armenia around 2008. At that time, this argument appeared in Armenian newspapers. We had similar discussions in Türkiye when the country concluded a customs union agreement with the European Union. Until 1996, people were saying that Turkish industry would collapse because of it. They claimed European goods would flood our market, our companies would close, and so on. But that did not happen.

The customs union agreement greatly improved the competitiveness of Türkiye’s economy.

I believe the same will happen in Armenia because there are sectors where Armenian companies and the Armenian workforce have greater potential. There are also sectors where Turkish companies can perform well.

The important issue is bringing those competitive partnerships together. That is what we are looking for.

It will benefit both countries,” the TEPAV director said.

Sak also commented on connectivity in the South Caucasus and the wider region, including whether the fact that Armenia’s railway network is operated under a concession by Russian Railways, through the South Caucasus Railway company, could become an obstacle to regional connectivity.

According to the TEPAV executive director, Russian concession management of Armenia’s railway network is not an obstacle to connectivity. He said the more important issue is the need to modernise and strengthen Armenia’s railway infrastructure, as the network is incomplete and some sections are currently out of service.

“The important thing is to hold discussions with South Caucasus Railway on whether it is willing to make new investments. If it is not prepared to make those investments, then a mechanism should be found to complete Armenia’s railway infrastructure.

The key issue is having transport links in place. That includes not only links with Türkiye and within Armenia, but also links with Azerbaijan, and ultimately with Moscow and Iran,” Güven Sak said.