Yerevan positively assesses the ongoing normalization process between Armenia and Turkey. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said this in an interview with the Anadolu agency on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.
The Minister noted that he visited Antalya and participated in the diplomatic forum to once again reaffirm the Armenian government’s political will to achieve the full normalization of relations with Turkey and to open an era of peaceful and stable development in the region.
“Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Turkey and open the borders. I was glad to hear from my Turkish counterpart that there is also political will on their side to take the process toward that goal. I think that now, when events in the world are developing very rapidly, we should not hesitate to take clear steps,” Mirzoyan said.
Asked what the benefits of the normalization process are for the Armenian and Turkish peoples, Ararat Mirzoyan replied: “People are already benefiting from the direct Yerevan-Istanbul flights. The opening of the borders will have a positive impact on communication between the two countries, trade and economic relations, people-to-people contacts and, in general, stability in the region.”
According to the Minister, in general, Armenia’s population wants to normalize relations with Turkey. In his words, this is also reflected in public opinion polls.
“Of course, in both Armenian and Turkish societies there are groups that, so to speak, view this process with skepticism. Officials on both sides must assume political leadership in addressing these issues,” he stressed.
