TABDC: discussion of Genocide and Karabakh issues make Turkey-Armenia reconciliation possibleMay 29, 2008 - 19:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Mosaic Institute invited Kaan Soyak, the Co-chair of the Turkish Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) to Toronto to address a group of Canadians of Turkish and Armenian origin at a dinner reception on May 22, independent French journalist Jan Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net Kaan Soyak and Arsen Ghazarian, the Armenian Co-chair, established the TABDC in 1997, as a think tank NGO aimed to improve relations between Armenia and Turkey. The mission of the TABDC is to seek normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia by opening the border between the two countries, which has been closed for more than a decade. In addition, the TABDC advocates establishing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia. The Embassies of both Turkey and Armenia in Ottawa sent senior representatives to the Toronto meeting convened by the Mosaic Institute. In addition, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada sent a senior diplomat to be present at the Mosaic Institute event. "There was a wonderful atmosphere of respect and willingness to listen" said Vahan Kololian, Chairman of the Mosaic Institute. "Clearly the TABDC is doing important work in the Caucuses region, and it is important for them to know that many in the Turkish and Armenian Diaspora support their efforts," he said. Mr. Soyak said, "It is the position of the TABDC that diplomatic relations can be established and borders can be opened, while the Genocide issue and the Nagorno Karabakh problem continue to be studied and discussed." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |