Armenia ready to open border with Türkiye, prime minister announces

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed strong optimism about the imminent opening of his country's border with Türkiye, citing positive diplomatic progress between the neighboring nations. Speaking at the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum in Georgia, Pashinyan confirmed Yerevan's political and technical preparedness to enable cross-border transit operations.

Immediate Transit Readiness

The Armenian leader stated his government stands ready to immediately permit freight truck movement between Türkiye and Azerbaijan through Armenian territory. He emphasized that "the positive dialogue between Armenia and Türkiye gives hope that the parties may open the borders in the near future," indicating both political willingness and practical capability for transportation connectivity.

Infrastructure Development Timeline

While political approval exists for railway transit connecting Türkiye with Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave and mainland Azerbaijan, Pashinyan acknowledged current infrastructure limitations requiring renovation. He projected these technical challenges would be resolved within two to three years, enabling comprehensive rail connections alongside planned road networks.

Comprehensive Connectivity Projects

The prime minister outlined broader infrastructure plans including pipeline construction and power transmission lines traversing Armenian territory to connect Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, and Türkiye. These developments form part of the US-mediated TRIPP project (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), established under the August Washington declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Regional Strategic Importance

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously characterized the planned connectivity route as a "geo-economic revolution," highlighting its transformative potential for regional trade and cooperation. The developments represent substantial progress in normalizing relations between historically strained neighbors and creating new economic corridors in the South Caucasus region.