Turkish minister says faster Armenia normalization would benefit region

Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli spoke to journalists in Yerevan on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Yumakli said the normalization of relations between Ankara and Yerevan was important for the region’s future.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Turkish minister said deeper dialogue between the two countries would have a positive impact on regional integration:

“Accelerating the process of normalizing relations with Armenia will create significant benefits and new opportunities for both countries and the South Caucasus as a whole,” Yumakli said.

The minister said productive and constructive meetings had been held during the forum in Yerevan, adding that the contacts would send positive diplomatic signals to the international community and various countries.

Yumakli also said similar positive expectations and opportunities for broad partnerships were anticipated at the 31st session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026.

Ibrahim Yumakli is leading Turkey’s official delegation to the COP17 summit in Yerevan.

The 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) is scheduled to take place in Yerevan from October 19 to 30, 2026. Preparatory meetings and the “Green Zone” platform are set to begin on October 18.