Positive Steps Taken by Armenian Authorities: CPMP Representative on Erdogan's Statement

The Armenian authorities have already taken "positive steps" towards the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations by including a peace agenda and issues concerning the normalization of relations with Turkey in the government's five-year program. This was stated by Gurgen Arsenyans, a representative of the ruling "Civil Contract" faction, while commenting on Turkish President Erdogan's statement regarding a meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia.

“I have not been present at the private conversation between the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Prime Minister of Georgia, but I want to remind you of the following document called the 'Government Activity Program of the Republic of Armenia,' which was discussed and approved by the National Assembly. In that document, specifically in the section 'Foreign Policy,' it is clearly stated that Armenia includes the issue of peace in its agenda. Our opponents in discussing the issue of peace are our neighbors with whom we either have no relations at all or have tense, adversarial, or hostile relations. In order to serve the political agenda and make the security environment of the Republic of Armenia more stable and understandable, the issue must be discussed, of course, with the subjects from whom that danger exists,” said Gurgen Arsenyans.

According to the MP, if discussions begin regarding the normalization of relations with Turkey, it is natural that those discussions will take place with the competent officials of Turkey, in this case, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

As a representative of the political authority, Arsenyans believes that from the standpoint of serving Armenia’s interests, steps must be taken in that direction "to an extent that will not harm our country and will not initially allow for negative negotiation positions." In response to Erdogan's statement that, alongside preparations for negotiations, Armenia should take positive steps, the representative of the "Civil Contract" faction stated that the positive steps have already been taken by the Armenian authorities.

“We have included the peace agenda in our government activity program. This is a crucial declaration regarding our intentions, an announcement to the world that we are placing the peace agenda on the table. The document concerning the peace agenda also includes processes, steps that will be discussed and taken by competent bodies based on the interests of Armenia's security,” added the MP.

Since the second half of August, Armenia and Turkey have been exchanging positive signals regarding the normalization of bilateral relations. In the section ‘Foreign Policy’ of the Government of Armenia's 2021-2026 program, it is stated that Armenia has always been ready to normalize relations with Turkey unconditionally, which stems from the interests of regional stability, security, and economic development. Today, the Armenian government is still ready to make efforts towards normalizing relations with Turkey.

On September 19, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated at a press conference that the Prime Minister of Georgia conveyed to him the proposal of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding a meeting. In response to a journalist's question about whether Pashinyan would allow the opening of a corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, Erdogan said that “the issue of opening or not opening that corridor is a political matter.” Erdogan found it “questionable” that Pashinyan simultaneously claims that the Armenian side is not discussing the issue of the “corridor” while expressing a desire to meet with him.

The Turkish president noted that they are open to negotiations but also hinted that alongside preparations for those meetings, the Armenian side “should take positive steps.” “If he wants to hold a meeting with Tayyip Erdogan, there are already known steps that need to be taken. In fact, I received the desire to meet with me, which he conveyed through the Prime Minister of Georgia. But, as I said, alongside preparations for those meetings, they need to take the positive steps,” Erdogan stated.

Commenting on the Turkish president's statement, Prime Minister's spokesperson Mane Gevorgyan said that at this point, there has been no communication between Armenian and Turkish officials, although the Armenian government is ready for such communications.