According to calculations by the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak, the opening of the land border between Armenia and Turkey could increase bilateral trade turnover to $1 billion.
As reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, the publication indicates that the initial phase involves the opening of the Alican border crossing, which is planned for this summer. Simultaneously, preparations are reportedly underway for the activation of the Akyaka border crossing located in the Kars province.
The newspaper notes that the operationalization of both checkpoints would facilitate the reconstruction of transport, logistics, and trade relations between the two countries. This development would allow a portion of cargo transportation to be conducted directly, bypassing transit routes through Georgia.
According to Yeni Safak's estimates, the current trade turnover between Armenia and Turkey ranges between $300 million and $350 million. Key export and import goods include textiles, chemical industry products, food items, and unprocessed precious metals.
It is worth noting that in December 2023, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Margara border crossing was ready for use by third-country citizens and diplomatic passport holders. The Armenian side had previously stated it was awaiting positive signals from Ankara regarding the phased opening of the border.
Despite previous agreements, the Turkey-Armenia land border remains largely closed to general traffic. The normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia is closely monitored in the region, particularly given the broader geopolitical context of the South Caucasus, where Turkey remains a key strategic ally of Azerbaijan. The opening of these borders is often viewed through the lens of regional stability and the Zangezur Corridor project, which remains a critical infrastructure initiative for connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave and the wider Turkic world.
