Azerbaijan Obstructing Armenia–Turkey Normalization Process, Says Alen Simonyan

ISTANBUL — Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has stated that Azerbaijan is obstructing the Armenia–Turkey normalization process by leveraging its lobbying efforts and influence.

Simonyan made the remarks during an interview with Istanbul-based Armenian media outlets, including Jamanak, Agos, Marmara, and Loys TV.

“On the one hand, Azerbaijan is negotiating with us, but on the other, it is preventing Turkey from negotiating with us. This is a strange situation. Turkey appears to be a hostage to these dynamics,” Simonyan said. “I believe that in the near future we will witness the opening of the border and the establishment of diplomatic relations. Everything has been done on both sides. When I speak with my Turkish counterparts, I understand that they have little left to say—there are no real disputes. I repeat, this stems from lobbying. Turkey is under that influence.”

Simonyan also commented on a statement by Numan Kurtulmuş, who said that the possibility of Armenia joining the Turkey–Azerbaijan–Georgia trilateral format is currently under consideration.

Indirectly confirming the existence of ongoing dialogue, Simonyan noted that the initiative builds on efforts he launched months earlier.

“About one and a half to two years ago, I sent letters to the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. I personally met with my counterparts from Georgia and Azerbaijan, informing them about the initiative and awaiting their responses. After a year and a half, I received a positive surprise when Mr. Kurtulmuş announced a similar initiative,” he said, adding that the process remains at the inter-parliamentary level.

He emphasized that parliaments do not have the authority to interfere in matters that fall within the executive branch.

Addressing delays in the opening of the Armenia–Turkey border and alternative formats for regional cooperation, Simonyan welcomed the inter-parliamentary initiative as a constructive interim step and stressed the importance of direct engagement with neighboring countries.

“I believe this development is an interim step taken due to the prolonged delay in a decision on opening the border. I welcome it and express my appreciation. Armenia cannot remain isolated in the region; we must be ready to directly negotiate our issues with our neighbors,” he said.

Speaking about shifts in Turkey’s position regarding the reopening of the border, Simonyan noted that it remains unclear what Ankara expects from Yerevan.

“Initially, it was said that the border would not open until the Nagorno-Karabakh issue was resolved. Then it was declared that the issue had been resolved. After that, the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace treaty was put forward. We negotiated the agreement—it was a complex and lengthy process—but we reached agreement on 17 points. We even met to initial the document and shook hands, yet nothing ultimately came of it,” Simonyan said.