We have some small but encouraging signs of moving forward. Pashinyan about Armenian-Turkish relations

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready for a full normalization of relations with Turkey, to establish diplomatic relations, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced in his opening speech at the discussion at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

"Another aspect of Armenia's vision of regional peace is the normalization of relations with Turkey. We are ready to fully normalize relations with Turkey, to establish diplomatic relations. We hope to fully open our common border, which was unilaterally closed by Turkey in the early 90s.

We have some small but hopeful signs that we are moving forward. Special Representatives of our countries agreed upon establishing air cargo transportation and opening interstate borders for third-country citizens in July 2022”, the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan reminded that in January the ban on direct air cargo transportation between Turkey and Armenia was lifted, expressing hope for the speedy implementation of the opening of the border for third-country citizens.

“Armenia reacted rapidly after the recent devastating earthquake in Turkey. I called up President Erdogan with condolences and proposed our support. After that we sent humanitarian aid and rescue team to the affected areas. It is very important to state that two convoys of humanitarian aid entered into Turkey through the border bridge which had been closed for 30 years. Our rescue team returned to Armenia through that bridge as well.

Armenian Foreign Minister visited Türkiye, met his counterpart and reiterated our readiness and willingness to fully normalize relations. Though the last interactions were, of course, of purely humanitarian essence, we, however, would be glad to have the political outcomes”, Pashinyan concluded.