Mine clearance operations begin on Turkish-Armenian border
YEREVAN, July 13. /ARKA/. Demining operations have begun on the Armenian-Turkish border after Yerevan and Ankara agreed to open their border to citizens of third countries, Russian news agency Interfax reported, citing the Turkish newspaper GazeteKars.
"Demining operations have started on the border between Armenia and Turkey. They are being carried out by an Israeli company," according to the newspaper.
The mine clearance work has been underway for 20 days in the region of Kars in Turkey, it said.
On Monday Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated in a phone call Turkish President on Kurban Bayram, and the latter congratulated the Prime Minister on the upcoming Vardavar-Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.
The leaders were said to have emphasized the importance they attach to the bilateral normalization process between their respective countries which will also contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the region.
In this context they expressed their expectation for the early implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting between the Special Representatives of their countries on July 1.
On July 1, special envoys of Armenia and Turkey for normalization of relations - Ruben Rubinyan of Armenia and Serdar Kilic of Turkey - agreed during their fourth meeting in Vienna to enable the crossing of the land border between Armenia and Turkey by third-country citizens visiting Armenia and Turkey respectively at the earliest date possible and decided to initiate the necessary process to that end.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said they also agreed on commencing direct air cargo trade between Armenia and Turkey at the earliest possible date and decided to initiate the necessary process to that effect.
Furthermore, they discussed other possible concrete steps that can be undertaken towards achieving the ultimate goal of full normalization between their respective countries.
Finally, they reemphasized their agreement to continue the normalization process without preconditions.
The first round of talks was held in Moscow on Jan. 14, where both parties agreed to continue negotiations without any preconditions. The Turkish and Armenian envoys met for the second and third time in Vienna on Feb. 24 and May 3, 2022. -0-
