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.

News & Announcements

05 February 2012

Interview with Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator on CRRC conducted research

Please watch an interview conducted by CivilNet with Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator on Social Cohesion Survey done by EPF/CRRC

05 February 2012

Civil society groups keep Turkey-Armenia rapprochement alive

Turkish and Armenian NGOs and civil society groups continue to pursue «second track diplomacy» to maintain momentum.

23 January 2012

Annual Media Grant Competition

Eurasia Partnership Foundation announces the annual open competition entitled New Content and New Technologies as part of the “Alternative Resources in Media” program. More informataion on proposal requirements and selection criteria can be found below.