ANTALYA, Turkey — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya to discuss the normalization of relations between their countries, according to the Armenian government.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of advancing the normalization process and bringing it to a successful conclusion. They welcomed the steps taken and agreements reached thus far, while stressing the need to further develop trade and economic cooperation.
Pashinyan and Erdogan also exchanged views on regional developments, highlighting the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a significant step toward expanding regional cooperation. Their discussions included the reopening of regional transportation routes and efforts to implement the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project.
The meeting followed their previous encounter in September 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Erdogan did not attend the COP17 Leaders’ Summit held in Yerevan on October 16, despite receiving an invitation from Armenia. Turkey was instead represented by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı.
Speaking at the World Armenian Summit 2026 on November 6, Pashinyan expressed confidence that Armenia and Turkey would establish diplomatic relations in the near future.
Pashinyan Describes Meeting With Erdogan as “Very Positive”
Following the Antalya meeting, Prime Minister Pashinyan described his discussions with President Erdogan as highly constructive and expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations.
Speaking to a reporter from Turkey’s TRT World, Pashinyan said the two leaders had held a very positive meeting and maintained a constructive dialogue.
“Today, we had a very positive meeting with President Erdogan, and we have a very positive dialogue. We look forward to the further development of our relations,” Pashinyan said when asked about the current status of the normalization process.
Asked about the importance of cooperation between Armenia and Turkey in strengthening regional connectivity, Pashinyan emphasized the need to restore railway connections between the neighboring countries.
“Yes, of course. Now we need to restore and reopen the railway between our countries, and we are working in that direction,” he said.
The remarks underscored the Armenian government’s stated commitment to advancing normalization with Turkey and expanding regional transportation and economic links.
