Turkey Will Make Long-Awaited Political Decision: Prime Minister on Border Opening

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the political agreement for the gradual opening of communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan is becoming a reality.

“In October, President Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan would lift restrictions on the transportation of goods through its territory to Armenia. This is a very significant and positive development. What seemed impossible just a few months ago is now a reality; grain has been transported from Kazakhstan to Armenia via Azerbaijan and Georgia. In return, we have publicly stated that Armenia is ready, both politically and technically, to allow the transit of goods between Turkey and Azerbaijan through its territory.

Given all this, I am confident that through daily care for the established peace, adherence to the spirit of the Washington Declaration, and a rejection of the rhetoric that disrupts the process, the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be able to institutionalize a lasting peace between the two countries.

Of course, speaking about our region, I must also inform this esteemed audience about the existing situation between Armenia and Turkey. Since our previous meeting at the German Society for Foreign Relations, we have witnessed an intensification of communications between Armenia and Turkey. These interactions are occurring at almost all levels—between myself and President Erdogan, our foreign ministers and special representatives, two foreign ministries, as well as relevant sectoral ministries.

Practically, we maintain very active negotiations and relations with official Ankara, even in the absence of de jure diplomatic relations. And I hope that Turkey will make the long-awaited political decision to open its border with Armenia and establish diplomatic relations.

The normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the “TRIPP Path” project, friendly relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with Georgia and Iran, and constructive dialogue with Russia could make the South Caucasus one of the most attractive transit corridors along with North-South and East-West routes. And we are vigorously working towards realizing this historic opportunity,” the Prime Minister said.