Armenia-Turkey Cross-border Dialogue and Cooperation

Program Goal – to improve dialogue and cooperation between representatives of Armenia’s and Turkey’s non-government and private sectors.

Relations between Armenia and Turkey are burdened by a long history of conflict. Armenian-Turkish relations deteriorated further in 1988, at the start of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. As a result of the fighting, Turkey imposed a blockade on all overland trade and transportation with Armenia, thereby cutting off the country’s main trade routes with Europe.

In other regions of the world, cross-border partnerships established between non-government organizations through Track Two Diplomacy (T2D) have proven to be an effective tool for conflict resolution, contributing to the acceleration of official, Track One Diplomacy initiatives. In Armenia and Turkey, some civil society groups, businesspeople, local government and journalists have established cross-border contacts and in some cases have jointly implemented programs; however, these initiatives have been few and generally ad hoc in nature.

The Armenia-Turkey Cross-Border Dialogue and Cooperation Program, launched in 2006 by Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), will contribute to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey by strengthening the capacities of non-government, local government and business sectors to develop and maintain cross-border partnerships. The program will also support initiatives designed to inform key stakeholders of the potential benefits of T2D initiatives, inform the general public of the potential impact of a border opening, and support initiatives for the establishment of cross-border links. By supporting cross-border initiatives between Armenian and Turkish citizens, the process of the normalization of relations between Armenia and its neighbors may be accelerated.

Turkish Bosphorus Quartet Performed in Yerevan

Support for Cross-Border Initiatives

In September 2007, Eurasia Partnership Foundation provided support to seven civil society organizations and media associations to establish partnerships with Turkish counterparts and to jointly implement cross-border activities. These partnership projects support cultural and youth exchange programs as well as cross-border media projects.

Increased Undestanding of Armenia-Turkey Relations

n 2006, Eurasia Partnership Foundation supported several research initiatives with the goal of increasing understanding among government representatives, civil society and the general public on Armenian-Turkish relations.

In light of the European Intergation

Recent EU accession talks with Turkey, as well as the inclusion of Armenia in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, have put additional pressure on the two countries to resolve their differences and improve relations with one another.

Talks on Turkey to be held in Yerevan

... »

- 06 August 2010

Call for project ideas, call for participation

EPF with support from British Embassies in Yerevan and Baku implements a project entailed Unbiased E-Media coverage in Armenia and...... »

- 13 May 2010

Films on Freedom of Expression are available online !

As part of Freedom of Expression project, EPF commissioned six documentary films on issues related to Freedom of Expression. Films...... »

- 08 February 2010

Request for Proposals:Developing Social Entrepreneurship in Armenia

EPF announces a grant competition to promote social enterprise in Armenia as a viable business model for organizations that are...... »

This website is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and do not necessarily represent the views of USAID or the U.S. Government.

Armenia-Turkey Cross-border Dialogue and Cooperation

Program Goal – to improve dialogue and cooperation between representatives of Armenia’s and Turkey’s non-government and private sectors.

Related documents