Foreign minister says that both countries were prepared to take “concrete steps” towards normalization
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan declared that Armenia is open to establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey, and opening its borders.
Although Turkey did recognize Armenia in the 90’s, they never had diplomatic relations. Baku-supporting Turkey closed its borders unilaterally with Armenia in 1993 following conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanians over Nagorno Karabakh.
In an interview with the Turkish Anadolu news agency, which was published on Tuesday, Mirzoyan reiterated that his country’s political will was “to normalize relations with Turkey fully and allow for peaceful and sustained development within the region.” He confirmed that the negotiations between the two countries were ongoing and “Positivity.”
The minister spoke to Anadolu on the margins of the Antalya Diplomatic forum, and his participation in the conference marked the first visit of a high-level Armenian official to Turkey in a decade.
“Armenia is willing to have diplomatic relations established with Turkey, and for Turkey to open its borders. It was a pleasure to receive the news from my Turkish counterpart. [Mevlut Cavusoglu]There is also a political will in their favor to direct the process towards that goal.” the foreign minister said.
He added that “A rapidly evolving world situation has created a need for caution.” the sides “You should never hesitate to make concrete actions.”
Among such “concrete steps,” he named the resumption earlier this year of direct flights between Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, and Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul.
“It will improve connectivity, trade and economic relationships between these countries as well, increase people-topeople contact and general stability of the region.” Mirzoyan underlined.
Admitting that, in both countries, there are “certain groups” which “are skeptical about the normalization process, the foreign minister said that in general the Armenians support it.
Cavusoglu had earlier characterized his March 12 meeting with Mirzoyan as “Very productive and very constructive.”
“We make every effort to achieve stability and peace.” the Turkish foreign minister told the reporters.
For more than 100 years, relations have been hostile between the countries. Ankara did not admit to the Ottoman empire’s genocide in 1915 of Armenians. In Yerevan’s conflict with Baku over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which re-escalated in 2020, Turkey was actively supporting Azerbaijan, despite Armenia’s calls on it to stay away.
However, bilateral relations have improved between Armenian and Turkish over the past few months.
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