Armenian FM expects full normalisation with Türkiye ‘in near future’

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Monday that he believes his country will achieve full normalisation with Türkiye in the “near future.” Speaking to lawmakers at a parliamentary committee hearing, Mirzoyan noted that Armenia’s dialogue with Türkiye has continued, including meetings of the working group established for the reopening of the Kars‑Gyumri railway.

Tangible progress expected

“My expectation and belief is that in the very near future, at some stage, we will have tangible progress in terms of the full normalisation of our relations with Türkiye,” Mirzoyan said. “I want to express confidence that in the near future we will, in fact, have full normalisation.” He also noted that direct trade between Armenia and Türkiye already exists in a customs sense, though geographically it still flows through third countries.

Historical context

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Türkiye was among the first countries to recognise Armenia’s independence on September 21, 1991. However, Ankara closed its border and severed diplomatic ties in 1993 following Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region. Relations began to improve after the Second Karabakh War in 2020, with both countries appointing special envoys for normalisation. Several rounds of talks have been held since. Türkiye has repeatedly stated that full normalisation depends on Armenia ceasing its occupation of Azerbaijani lands and dropping territorial claims.