On December 31, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation. According to Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers discussed issues of bilateral and international significance.
The conversation took place amidst heightened dialogue between Armenia and Turkey regarding transportation links. Earlier, on December 19, during the 49th session of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mirzoyan announced an agreement with Ankara to conduct a joint technical assessment for the restoration of the Gyumri-Kars railway route.
The process of normalizing relations between the two countries began in early 2022. At that time, special representatives from both sides held a series of meetings, culminating in an agreement on July 1, 2022, in Vienna to open the land border for third-country nationals and holders of diplomatic passports. However, these agreements have yet to be implemented.
The restoration of transportation links is viewed as a key element in the normalization of relations between Armenia and its neighbors, as well as in fostering regional connectivity in the South Caucasus.
