Çavuşoğlu Thanks Armenian Rescuers for Their Support

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu expressed gratitude to the Armenian side for their support during a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. Çavuşoğlu recalled that in 2022, Mirzoyan had visited Turkey to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, where they held a bilateral meeting to discuss steps aimed at normalizing relations.

“I think it is extremely meaningful that we are hosting him here today. Immediately after the earthquake, we received messages of condolences and solidarity. There was also a message from Prime Minister Pashinyan addressed to our president. Prime Minister Pashinyan called our president and conveyed his words of support and solidarity. Subsequently, Armenia immediately sent a 28-member search and rescue team to our country. Since February 8, they have been working with full force in Adıyaman. Our group saved the life of one girl and one young woman, for which I also want to express deep gratitude. They truly worked with all their strength, and we saw how happy they were while rescuing our citizens,” Çavuşoğlu stated.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also emphasized that Armenia sent 100 tons of humanitarian aid. Citing his Armenian counterpart, he mentioned that additional assistance would follow, for which he expressed gratitude once more. “This means that Armenia extended a hand of friendship to our people in these difficult days, showing solidarity and cooperation. Armenia also sent humanitarian aid to our country during the Gölcük earthquake in 1999. Unfortunately, Armenia is also located in a seismic zone. We still remember the Spitak earthquake of 1988, as many people perished in that disaster. After that earthquake, aid sent from Turkey reached Armenia through the Alijian border. Years later, this time, humanitarian aid from Armenia came to our country via the same border. We must continue our solidarity,” he added.

According to Çavuşoğlu, the resolution process in the South Caucasus is ongoing. Progress in the normalization processes between Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region. “Today, I discussed with my colleague Mirzoyan the steps that will be taken in the Turkey-Armenia normalization process. In addition, we received information from him about the ongoing meetings between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the discussions regarding a comprehensive peace agreement. Here, I especially want to say this: if these three countries take sincere steps, we can establish lasting peace and tranquility in the South Caucasus. Particularly after COVID and the Ukrainian war, the Eastern-Western Middle Corridor has gained great importance.”

One of the steps aimed at normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations is the reconstruction of the historical Silk Road bridge. “The bridge, constructed by some accounts in the 9th or 10th century, has only two feet—one on the Armenian side and the other on the Turkish side. Therefore, the reconstruction and renovation of this Silk Road bridge will be extremely meaningful. We will work together on this issue as well. Our friends and special representatives will continue their work in the context of upcoming steps,” Çavuşoğlu concluded, once again thanking Armenia for their support.