Armenia-Turkey Border Crossings Ready for Reopening, President Khachaturyan Says

YEREVAN — Armenia is fully prepared to reopen its border with Turkey and is working toward establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan said.

Speaking at a press conference concluding his official visit to the Czech Republic, Khachaturyan said the necessary work at border checkpoints has been completed and the infrastructure is ready to accommodate the movement of people, goods and vehicles.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the borders are opened and diplomatic relations are established,” Khachaturyan said. “We are trying to find a solution that will not only advance Armenian-Turkish relations but also contribute to establishing lasting peace throughout the region.”

The president said Armenia views the normalization process with Turkey within the broader context of improving relations with Azerbaijan and establishing regional peace.

“We are ready to open the border at any moment, including right now,” he said. “As you know, the necessary work has been carried out at the border checkpoints, and they are ready to accommodate the movement of people, goods and vehicles.”

Khachaturyan recalled that Armenia has presented several proposals for the phased reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border, including allowing crossings for holders of diplomatic passports and citizens of third countries.

“We proposed allowing people with diplomatic passports to make visits, as well as allowing third-country nationals to travel to Turkey through Armenia,” he said. “There are several initiatives, some of which are already in the implementation stage.”

The president also pointed to practical examples of growing Armenian-Turkish cooperation, including the joint restoration of the historic Ani bridge and an Armenia-Turkey business forum held in Yerevan on September 3-4.

“The restoration of the old Ani bridge is being carried out jointly. A major Armenian-Turkish business forum has also been held in Armenia,” Khachaturyan said. “This demonstrates that there are no restrictions on our cooperation, but diplomatic relations must be established and the border must be opened.”

According to Khachaturyan, a similar approach applies to Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan, with the timing and coordination of the various normalization processes remaining among the issues under discussion.

“We need to be able to move this process forward because, in reality, they are interested and we are interested as well,” he said. “There is no side that opposes the development or improvement of Armenia-Turkey relations.”

Khachaturyan said increased contacts between Armenia and Turkey are gradually strengthening mutual trust and promoting more practical cooperation between institutions in the two countries.