Armenian Diplomats Visit Margara and Akhurik Crossings on Armenia-Turkey Border

GYUMRI — The leadership of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the heads of Armenian diplomatic missions abroad visited the Margara border crossing on the Armenia-Turkey border on August 30.

The visit took place as part of the annual workshop of Armenia’s diplomatic service leadership, held this year in Gyumri. The delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

At the Margara crossing, State Revenue Committee Chairman Eduard Hakobyan briefed the diplomats on renovation and modernization work carried out at the border checkpoint.

Hakobyan said the crossing is ready to become operational.

Armenia and Turkey have been engaged for years in negotiations aimed at normalizing relations and reopening their land border. The Margara checkpoint is intended by Armenia to serve as one of the main crossings between the two countries.

The heads of Armenia’s diplomatic service bodies, led by Mirzoyan, also visited the Akhurik checkpoint on the Armenia-Turkey border and the Akhuryan railway station on the Gyumri-Kars railway line. Discussions focused on the importance of restoring and operating the railway and on the progress of work being carried out in that direction.

A day earlier, on August 29, the annual workshop bringing together the leadership of the Foreign Ministry’s central office and the heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions abroad continued in Gyumri.

Discussions focused on Armenia’s relations with neighboring countries, the deepening of partnerships and diversification of foreign relations, as well as expanding the economic dimension of Armenia’s diplomacy.

Mirzoyan said that amid new opportunities for regional connectivity, Armenia has a “historic opportunity” and that the country’s diplomatic service must contribute to realizing those opportunities.

He added that during the previous year’s Ambassadors’ Conference, the primary emphasis had been on the continued consolidation of peace, whereas now, according to the government’s assessment, “peace is already a reality.”

The workshop also addressed international and regional developments, as well as Armenia’s new priorities within multilateral platforms.