Armenia and Türkiye are set to hold a new round of talks aimed at normalizing relations and reopening their shared border, which has been closed since 1993, the Armenian Foreign Ministry announced.

Ani Badalyan, the ministry’s press secretary, confirmed that special representatives Ruben Rubinyan of Armenia and Serdar Kılıç of Türkiye will meet in Armenia in the near future to advance these discussions.

The two nations have lacked diplomatic relations since Türkiye closed the border in 1993 in solidarity with Azerbaijan during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Efforts to mend ties began in 2022, with Rubinyan and Kılıç appointed as special envoys to lead negotiations. Their first meeting took place in Moscow on January 14, 2022, marking the start of a dialogue focused on reconciliation and practical steps toward cooperation.

A significant breakthrough came during a July 1, 2022, meeting in Vienna, where the envoys agreed to allow third-country nationals to cross the Armenia-Türkiye land border “as soon as possible” and to initiate direct air cargo transportation between the two countries. While these measures have yet to be fully implemented, they represent a potential thaw in a decades-long standoff.

The upcoming meeting, as announced by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, is part of ongoing efforts to build on these commitments and move toward full normalization. “The process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Türkiye continues,” Badalyan stated, emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue.

The talks come amid broader regional shifts, including Armenia’s efforts to diversify its foreign relations and Türkiye’s balancing act between its alliance with Azerbaijan and improving ties with Armenia. However, challenges remain, including unresolved issues tied to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and historical disputes, notably Armenia’s push for recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, which Türkiye denies.

Analysts see the meeting as a critical step toward de-escalation in the South Caucasus, potentially paving the way for economic cooperation and regional stability. The outcome of the discussions could also influence Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan, as Türkiye has historically conditioned progress with Armenia on Yerevan’s peace talks with Baku.

As Rubinyan and Kılıç prepare to meet, both sides face domestic and international pressure to deliver tangible results, particularly on border access and trade. The international community, including mediators like Russia and the European Union, is closely watching the process, which could reshape dynamics in a geopolitically sensitive region. (ILKHA)