Co-chairs of the Armenian Congressional Caucus Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg sent a letter to US President George Bush asking to call on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan to immediately raise Armenia’s blockade. To remind, Turkey’s Prime Minister is to meet with Bush January 28 during his visit to the US. The Congressmen’s letter notes that Armenia’s blockade imposed by Turkey does not contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region. “The protection of the military-economic interests of the US, Turkey, European Union and NATO today, as never, depends on Armenia’s blockade immediate end”, it says. At the same time the Congressmen reminded Bush about the US Department report published in 2003, which pointed out that the blockade resulted in 30-35% increase of Armenia’s cargo transportation expenses, thus crippling the economy. Besides, proceeding from the State Department’s forecast the opening of the border will allow Armenia and Turkey to carry out joint projects in the sphere of trade, energy, economy and tourism, the annual turnover of which would comprise $1 billion. The Congressmen also underscored that the Armenian government has reiterated during the recent years about the readiness to establish normal relations with Turkey without any pre-conditions.
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