At the ministerial meeting of the "3+3" regional consultative platform in Istanbul on October 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made an important announcement regarding the development of transportation links in the region. He stated that Armenia has completed the construction and technical modernization of the Margara border checkpoint on the Armenian-Turkish border after a joint assessment of the border bridge.
Mirzoyan also mentioned that Armenia and Turkey have agreed to conduct a joint assessment of the technical requirements for crossing the border via the Gyumri-Kars railway. These developments complement earlier agreements, including the establishment of direct flights between Armenia and Turkey and the mutual lifting of restrictions on cargo air transport.
In his remarks, special attention was given to the prospects of regional transport cooperation. According to the minister, the reopening of the Gyumri-Kars railway, combined with the railway connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan, would facilitate efficient transportation links between the Persian Gulf, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia has proposed specific ways to Azerbaijan for restoring the railway infrastructure, simplifying border-crossing procedures, and easing customs processing. He also stressed the importance of ensuring additional security mechanisms while fully respecting the sovereignty and jurisdiction of both countries.
In conclusion, the Armenian Foreign Minister reaffirmed the country's interest in developing regional communications and strengthening interdependence with its neighbors. He underscored that these efforts are based on the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, and political independence.
The process of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations began at the start of 2022. The first meeting of the special representatives of Armenia and Turkey took place on January 14 in Moscow. Subsequently, the envoys held three more meetings in Vienna.
On July 1, 2022, in Vienna, Rubinyan and Kılıç agreed to facilitate the crossing of the Armenian-Turkish land border as soon as possible for third-country nationals and holders of diplomatic passports. However, these agreements have not yet been implemented.
Despite the closed border and the absence of diplomatic relations, trade between the two countries has almost never ceased in the post-Soviet period. According to the Statistical Committee of Armenia, in January-May of this year, the trade turnover between Armenia and Turkey amounted to over $131 million. Of this amount, only $225,000 accounted for Armenian exports to Turkey, while the rest represented imports of Turkish goods to Armenia.
The trade figures for the five months are only $2 million higher than the same period in 2023.
