Türkiye supports stability in South Caucasus: Armenian PM Pashinyan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed that Armenia sees Türkiye advocating for stability in the South Caucasus, particularly in its support for a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Our perception is that Türkiye, at least in the messages it conveys, advocates for stability in the South Caucasus. We see that Türkiye, at the presidential and foreign minister levels, supports the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan told Turkish media outlets in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.

The prime minister emphasized that representatives from Türkiye and Armenia are in constant communication, highlighting a “very direct conversation” between the two nations.

“Today, there is a very direct dialogue, a very direct conversation between Armenia and Türkiye. If we compare it to the previous period in our relations, this is a significant change. Diplomatic representatives of Armenia and Türkiye are in constant direct contact,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan also expressed a desire for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, noting the already substantial volume of trade and business exchanges.

While discussing the July 2022 agreement aimed at opening the land border between the two countries for third-country citizens, Pashinyan acknowledged that tangible progress had not been made in bilateral relations. However, he pointed out that both countries now have a better understanding of the difficulties and differing perspectives, seeing this as a positive development.

“Over the course of this period, I and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have had several meetings, and their foreign ministers have also made contact and continue to stay in touch,” Pashinyan said.

Normalization ‘only matter of time’

He emphasized that efforts should continue to build on the current momentum in Turkish-Armenian relations, calling it a dynamic process.

Pashinyan concluded that he believes normalizing ties between the two countries is “only a matter of time,” urging patience throughout the process.

Asked about Armenia’s relations with the EU, Pashinyan stated that they have strengthened in recent years, noting that this does not conflict with Armenia’s ties to other partners.

“We want the Republic of Armenia to avoid a foreign policy without alternatives. I want to say this directly: We want the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people to have options,” he added.