Xenophon Paper 2 pdf - ICBSS

are normalised, and the Karabakh conflict is resolved. All attempts toward these ends
have been fruitless thus far. In the face of diametrically opposing views with respect to
these matters in Armenia, Turkish and Azerbaijani approaches have remained the same.
Moreover, their positions have further toughened over the years, as their isolation policy
against Armenia has become more adjusted, united and coordinated.
With regard to environmental protection and sustainable development, the priority issues
were the protection of the Black Sea (or of rivers running toward it), the regulation of
fishing, and projects that a landlocked Armenia could either have little or no part in.
Environmental issues that could have also been common to Armenia - protection and
restoration of forests, prevention of industrial waste, combating desertification, usage
of environmentally-safe minerals, etc. - were deemed less important in comparison, and
continue to be a matter of sole concern for Armenia or, at best, for EU-Armenia cooperation.
All this notwithstanding, Armenia has signed onto such important documents as the
Declaration on Water and Water Related Ecosystem in the Wider Black Sea Region. 11
Within the framework of commercial and economic activities, and specifically trade
facilitation and favourable conditions for investments, the pace of Armenia’s cooperation
differs depending on the domains. In line with international assessments, Armenia’s
economic legislation is one of the most liberal and, in theory, it allows for many
opportunities especially for imports and foreign investments. However, corruption,
inadequate tariff and customs policies, and the quasi-democratic political system still
remain problems. In the end, Armenia’s main economic partners are the EU, including
BSEC member countries.
Even despite the absence of diplomatic ties among Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, there
is some intermediary trade - via Georgian territory - among these countries. Turkish and,
to a lesser degree, Azeri goods still enter the Armenian market, and vice versa. Understandably,
though, this poses limitations, since intermediary trade affects the price, and consequently
the volume, of imported and exported goods. In contrast with Armenian-Azeri relations,
there is an Armenian-Turkish Business Council and several joint business ventures functioning
within the framework of Armenia-Turkey dealings. Since, however, the Armenian-Turkish
border is formally closed, Armenia cannot talk about cross-border cooperation. Human
relations, very much insufficient, naturally have room for improvement.
The tourism industry, on the other hand, which has registered considerable growth in
recent years, is in better condition. Even though more and more Armenian tourists now
vacation at Mediterranean and Black Sea countries including Turkey, there is greater
11 Declaration on Water and Water Related Ecosystem in the Wider Black Sea Region, DABLAS Task Force, Brussels,
26 November 2001.
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