Armenia-Turkey Trade Surpasses $300 Million in 2022; Only Turkish Imports Allowed

The trade between Armenia and Turkey was about $320 million in 2022; mainly imports. Armenia’s Minister of Economy, Vahan Kerobyan, presented the report on the progress and results of the implementation of the 2021-2026 program of the government at this week’s meeting of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia.

According to the minister, Armenia’s border is open for the import of Turkish goods to Armenia, but the border of Turkey remains closed for the export of Armenian goods.

"Turkey selectively opens the border; in particular, for certain categories of Armenian products which are important for its economy. The [Turkish] market is closed for other products. So, as of today, the export of goods from Armenia to Turkey is extremely impossible. Turkey never opened the border for Armenian products. Under these conditions, it is pointless and impossible to assess the potential of Armenian products in the Turkish market," Kerobyan admitted.

Backstory: In 1991 when Armenia became an Independent country (following the collapse of the Soviet Union), Turkey recognized that and reopened its border briefly for two years. In 1993, Turkey closed its border again in support of its brotherly relations with Azerbaijan following the first Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war. Turkey is also guilty of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Ironic right?