Turkey and Armenia arrange initial discussions for border border opening

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed optimism about regional peace following a series of significant meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Erdogan noted that the signatures at the White House have accelerated the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process, a process that is now set to take a significant step forward with the first inter-delegation meeting between Turkey and Armenia in decades. The Turkish delegation, led by Ambassador Serdar Kilic, will travel to Armenia early next week.

The border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed since 1993, and the two countries have had no diplomatic relations due to disputes over the Karabakh conflict and historical issues. However, a joint declaration signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on August 8 regarding the restoration of relations has paved the way for this historic meeting.

The joint declaration included Armenia's agreement to cooperate with the United States and third parties to create the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity," connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. U.S. President Donald Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev witnessed the declaration.

The meeting between the Turkish and Armenian delegations is significant as it follows this joint declaration. Erdogan stated that Azerbaijan and Armenia have largely overcome the obstacles on the path to peace and have reached the final point. He believes that the South Caucasus will achieve long-awaited peace.

During his meeting with Pashinyan, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey supports peace, stability, and development in the region and will continue contributing to the process. Erdogan observed that both Aliyev and Pashinyan are at the same point and looking in the same direction.

During this first inter-delegation meeting, officials are expected to make decisions on normalizing bilateral relations and may implement previously agreed-upon measures, such as initiating cargo flights between the countries, conducting technical and infrastructure work for border opening, simplifying visa procedures for diplomatic passport holders, and allowing third-country citizens to cross the border.

The upcoming intergovernmental meeting will discuss specific steps for normalizing relations, including the implementation of previously agreed measures. The first inter-delegation meeting is expected to take place at the Alican Border Gate.

While these decisions have yet to be implemented, according to reports, the momentum for change in the region is palpable. The meeting between Kilic and Rubinyan, the Armenian Foreign Minister, at a border checkpoint in July 2024, marked a crucial step in this process. The normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia promises to bring long-awaited peace and prosperity to the South Caucasus.