Discussion on the Possible Opening of the Kars Checkpoint

The special representative for the Turkey-Armenia normalization process, Ambassador Serdar Kilic, along with the deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Caucasus and Central Asia department, Ayse Uzere, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arif Ekmejcik and Onder Akgyun, received Kadir Bozani, the chairman of the Management Board of the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Council President Idris Acay, and board members.

The main agenda item of the meeting was the opening of the "Eastern Gate" border checkpoint located in the Akyaka region of Kars, the significance of this process for the people of Kars, and the potential socio-economic impacts of the checkpoint's opening on the region.

Kadir Bozani, in his remarks, stated: “We closely follow the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Armenia normalization process and believe that after the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Armenia issues and the implementation of normalization, the opening of the ‘Eastern Gate’ border checkpoint will contribute not only to the economic and social development of Kars but also to the peoples of the region. The opening of the border gate will increase trade in Kars, strengthen employment in the region, and give a significant boost to our economy. This crucial development will also strengthen the regional connections of Kars and promote international cooperation.”

He emphasized that the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry has consistently supported regional cooperation and such steps that encourage economic development, expressing hope that the meeting would open an important pathway for the future of Kars.