Russia backs possible swift normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations - Zakharova

The Russian Federation has consistently advocated for the earliest possible normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, considering it a basis for sustainable peace and development in the South Caucasus, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a weekly briefing on September 18.

She noted that Moscow is ready to continue supporting the efforts of Yerevan and Ankara to deepen relations, including within the framework of the “3+3” format.

Zakharova stressed the importance of taking into account regional realities and the interests of neighboring countries in the process of developing agreements, adding that “any interference by external actors must be excluded.”

The first meeting of Special Representatives for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Ruben Rubinyan and Serdar Kılıç, took place in Moscow in January 2022.

On September 13 this year, Kılıç paid an official visit to Armenia, where the sides discussed key issues of normalization and outlined steps for the early implementation of the agreements reached on July 1, 2022.

During the visit, Turkey’s Special Representative for Normalization also held a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.