Armenian envoy for normalization with Türkiye comments on possible developments

Vice Speaker of Parliament and Special Envoy for Normalization with Türkiye Ruben Rubinyan was in no hurry to make any predictions regarding possible developments in the normalization talks on Monday.

During a briefing, Rubinyan said that he would not comment on possible developments, noting that experience has shown it is better to wait for developments and make statements only when something has already occurred.

“As for further developments, allow me not to say anything at this time. When the time comes, I will inform you in an appropriate manner. Please allow me not to comment now, because I prefer to announce something only when it has actually happened,” Rubinyan said at a press briefing. 

Addressing the opening of the Armenia–Türkiye land border for third-country nationals and holders of diplomatic passports, or the facilitation of the process, Rubinyan recalled that there has been an agreement on this issue since 2022.

“I can only say what is already public, namely that Türkiye is restoring the Alican border crossing,” Rubinyan said.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament also commented on a recent statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who said that there would be symbolic steps in the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process at the beginning of 2026.

“I do not want to say much on this topic—not because I have something to hide or do not want to provide information, but because my experience in the Armenia–Türkiye normalization process shows that it is better to wait until something actually happens and then make an announcement. I do not want to harm the process in any way,” he said.

He reiterated that the Armenian side’s position has always been that Yerevan wants fully open borders and established diplomatic relations as early as tomorrow, and in this regard, nothing has changed.