Armenia-Turkiye normalization continues, says FM

The Armenia-Turkiye normalization process continues, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan has said.

“The normalization process with Turkiye continues,” he told lawmakers at a parliamentary committee hearing on the 2024 government program report. “In addition to establishing diplomatic relations, the opening of borders and relaunching transport infrastructures between us is crucial,” he said, highlighting the vital significance of relaunching the Gyumri-Kars railway.

FM Ararat Mirzoyan reminded that Armenia and Turkiye have some agreements, such as the agreement on jointly restoring the Ani Bridge. “This supplements the already implemented decisions, which define the direct flights, elimination of obstacles for air cargo shipments. We have agreements that so far haven’t been implemented, for example the free movement across the border and opening of the border for citizens of third countries, as well as citizens of Armenia and Turkiye who have diplomatic passports,” the FM said.

He reminded that only Armenian border guards have been on-duty at the renovated Margara border crossing point on the Armenian-Turkish border since February 28. He stressed that all border crossing points across the country have been patrolled by exclusively Armenian border guards since March 1. In this context, he thanked Russia for having conducted the service before that.