International Conference on Eurasian Economies

4-5 November 2010 – Istanbul, TURKEY

Paper detail

Paper ID : 116
Status : Paper published
Language : Turkish
Topic : International Trade and Globalization
Presenter: Mr. Emre Bulut
Session : 6A Uluslararası Ticaret

An Investigation of Potential Effects of Opening of Turkish-Armenian Border on the Turkish and Armenian Economies
Türkiye-Ermenistan Sınır Kapısının Açılmasının Türkiye ve Ermenistan Ekonomileri Üzerindeki Muhtemel Etkileri Üzerine Bir Araştırma

• Prof. Dr. Ersan Bocutoğlu (Avrasya University, Türkiye)
• Mr. Emre Bulut (Karadeniz Technical University, Türkiye)

Abstract

Turkish-Armenian border has been closed due to Nagorno-Karabagh question since 1993. The fact that the 20% of Azerbaijan territory is under Armenian invasion has prevented investigation of potential economic effects of Turkish-Armenian border on related parties so far from being a research agenda. In this study a descriptive approach is adopted since statistical data in hand is inappropriate for an econometric investigation. Long run advantages that an open border brings to Turkey are alternative highway, railway and pipeline routes to Caspian Sea basin and Central Asia while short run advantages are economic gains to Turkish border provinces and port cities connected with Armenia. The long run and short run benefits are vital for Armenia whose economy is agrarian, dependant heavily on foreign trade and foreign aids, experienced high transportation costs, unstable, poor and loosing population although the population data does not reflect the real situation. For Armenia, an open border means a direct territorial connection to European Union (EU), new employment opportunities, up to 23% fall in transportation costs, trans-border pipeline benefits, a flourished foreign trade, and increasing material well being. Consequently the opening of Turkish-Armenian border is strongly advised for it is beneficial to the related parties under the assumption that a resolution on Azeri-Armenian conflicts is reached

JEL codes: A10, R41, F02

Bocutoğlu, Ersan, Bulut, Emre (2010). "An Investigation of Potential Effects of Opening of Turkish-Armenian Border on the Turkish and Armenian Economies" in Proceedings of International Conference of Eurasian Economies 2010, pp.398-403, Istanbul, TURKEY.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36880/C01.00116

Full paper in PDF format.

Session 6A: Uluslararası Ticaret