No contact has occurred between Armenia and Turkey at this time, says Prime Minister's spokesperson

Mané Gevorgyan, the spokesperson for the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, has addressed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed a meeting to him through the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili. Gevorgyan noted that the Prime Minister has spoken about his views on the initiation of conversations with Turkey during the recent Q&A session in the National Assembly, stating that he believes that working discussions should precede high-level contacts, and he is also presenting this understanding to international partners.

We present the questions from “Armenpress” on this topic and the responses from the Prime Minister's spokesperson, Mané Gevorgyan:

Question – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia has proposed a meeting through the Prime Minister of Georgia. What do you say about this?

Response – Prime Minister Pashinyan presents the vision of opening a era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region, as recorded in the government program, during all his international contacts, and expresses the readiness of the Armenian government to exert efforts in that direction. The Prime Minister has talked about his visions regarding the initiation of conversations with Turkey during the recent Q&A session in the National Assembly, stating that he believes working discussions should precede high-level contacts. Furthermore, he is also presenting this vision to international partners. At this moment, no communication has occurred between Armenian and Turkish officials, although the Armenian government is ready for such communications. In the context of effective work, Armenia will also be ready for meetings at high and top levels.

Question – The Turkish president again spoke about the issue of opening a corridor through Armenian territory, stating that this is a political matter. How would you comment?

Response – Prime Minister Pashinyan has expressed his views on this matter multiple times. Armenia values the accurate implementation of the agreements recorded in the statements of November 9 and January 11. The opening of communications is of exceptional importance for establishing long-term peace and stability in the region, overcoming the currently painful atmosphere of enmity, and Armenia is determined to move forward in that direction and achieve results. In some statements, the topic of reopening communications is transformed and takes on the logic of maintaining regional isolation. The conversation about corridors is precisely such and contradicts the logic of establishing peace and stability in the region and overcoming the atmosphere of enmity. Its aim is not only to isolate the states and peoples of the region but also to give that isolation an irreversible appearance. However, there are also options for opening regional communications that emphasize regional connectivity and can serve as a real means of gradually overcoming the atmosphere of enmity. The Armenian government is a proponent of such an option, and it is precisely this option that is described in point 9 of the trilateral statement of November 9 and in the trilateral statement of January 11.

Question – Given the current conditions, how realistic and adequate do you consider the agenda for opening an era of peaceful development for the region?

Response – Unfortunately, almost every day, events occur aimed at delegitimizing the peace agenda, deepening the atmosphere of enmity, and making it more systematic. These steps are taken to showcase the impossibility of peace in our region, but the Armenian government will consistently advance this agenda, utilizing all opportunities to open a peaceful era for our region and creating new possibilities. Prime Minister Pashinyan has repeatedly mentioned that on this path, we need strong nerves, and there are no quick and easy solutions.