Preparations for the commencement of direct trade between Türkiye and Armenia have been finalized, marking a significant step in the ongoing normalization process between the two nations.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oncu Keceli, announced that all bureaucratic preparations for direct trade were completed as of May 11.
According to the diplomat, technical and administrative efforts to facilitate the opening of the land border between Türkiye and Armenia are currently underway. The new arrangement allows products sent from Türkiye to Armenia—or vice versa—to officially list "Türkiye" or "Armenia" as the country of origin or final destination, bypassing previous restrictions that required third-country documentation.
The statement emphasized that Ankara remains committed to supporting the development of economic ties and expanding cooperation among regional countries to strengthen lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. This development follows a high-level meeting on May 4, when Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz visited Yerevan to discuss the prospects of bilateral relations with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The border between Türkiye and Armenia has remained closed since 1993, and the two countries currently lack formal diplomatic relations. However, a normalization process was initiated in 2022, leading to several rounds of talks between special representatives. To date, agreements have been reached to open the land border for third-country citizens and individuals holding diplomatic passports, though full implementation is still pending technical assessments.
This move is seen as part of a broader effort to reintegrate transport and economic links in the region following the 2020 Garabagh War. Azerbaijan has consistently supported the opening of regional communications, provided they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the involved states, as part of a comprehensive peace strategy for the South Caucasus.
