Opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey could have a positive impact on the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement - Mirzoyan
YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. Turkey links its relations with Armenia to the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, although there are no official preconditions. This was stated by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in an interview with the Brazilian daily Correio Braziliense.
"However, we believe that if the border between Armenia and Turkey were opened first, it could have a very positive impact on relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Mirzoyan said.
He described the dialogue with Turkey as constructive.
"We have publicly stated that the main goal of establishing diplomatic relations is the opening of the borders between Armenia and Turkey. The Turkish side closed this border 34 years ago. However, we hear from our Turkish partners that they are showing restraint regarding the full opening of the border with Armenia until the final normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Mirzoyan explained.
At the same time, he noted some progress. In particular, the ban on air cargo transportation has been lifted, direct flights have been established, and several other confidence-building measures have been implemented.
"We agreed that, in the first stage, the border could be opened for citizens of third countries, as well as for citizens of Armenia and Turkey holding diplomatic passports. However, this agreement has not yet been implemented," Mirzoyan stated.
Among the specific agreements reached with Turkey, he highlighted the start of work on arranging the border on a bilateral basis. Armenian and Turkish specialists are already studying the condition of the Gyumri-Kars railway. These processes are already underway.
On the Armenian-Turkish Dialogue
There have been no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey since 1991, and the state border has been closed since 1993 at Turkey's initiative. Among the problematic issues are Ankara’s dissatisfaction with Armenia’s promotion of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In December 2021, Armenia and Turkey appointed their emissaries for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations — Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan and experienced diplomat, former Turkish Ambassador to the United States Serdar Kilic.
On March 12, 2022, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey discussed the further normalization process and confirmed their readiness to advance it without preconditions, ultimately establishing diplomatic relations and opening the borders between the two countries.
Direct air cargo flights between Armenia and Turkey became possible as of January 1, 2023.
On September 24, 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met at the Turkish House in New York and emphasized their readiness to continue the normalization process without preconditions and to give new impetus to their relations.
