Mirzoyan questions need for new special envoy to Türkiye

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan commented on appointing a new special envoy for normalizing relations with Türkiye at a joint news conference with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Vice President Ignazio Cassis. Mirzoyan said Yerevan was uncertain whether a new special envoy was necessary.

The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Mirzoyan said:

“Frankly, whether a new special envoy is needed is questionable. The border-opening process could take place before the sides agree on candidates for new special envoys.”

The minister claimed that dialogue on normalizing Armenia-Türkiye relations had reached a stage at which a final and comprehensive agreement could be reached at any time. He noted that the two countries’ agencies maintain direct contact almost every day and that talks are continuing intensively.

Mirzoyan reiterated the importance of Türkiye lifting its bans on exports to Armenia. He said Turkish businesspeople had previously faced restrictions on directly exporting goods to the Armenian market.

The minister also said a bilateral business forum would be held in Armenia soon, while the Turkish side was actively carrying out construction and rehabilitation work on a road linking the Kars region to the Armenian border.

Türkiye and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations. Ankara closed the border in 1993 in response to Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The freeze in relations is linked to Ankara’s firm support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and position, as well as Yerevan’s claims regarding the alleged “Armenian genocide.”

The first meeting between the sides’ special representatives for normalization took place in Moscow in January 2022. That summer, they reached an initial agreement to open the land border to citizens of third countries and holders of diplomatic passports, but the process has yet to be implemented. The sides are also discussing the possibility of restoring railway infrastructure between the two countries.