Armenia and Turkey aim to open the border to citizens of third countries and holders of diplomatic passports before the start of the tourist season. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced this at the government’s 16 February session, having travelled to Turkey the previous day and met with his Turkish counterpart.
Armenia had sent a search-and-rescue team and humanitarian aid to Turkey. Mirzoyan said the Turkish side had received all of this with appreciation. It is anticipated that the Armenian rescuers who went to Turkey will return to Yerevan today by land route.
Referring to his visit to Turkey, Mirzoyan said they had discussed certain issues of bilateral relations and reached agreements: “There is a decision to accelerate the dialogue process and the processes taking place with the aim of opening the final borders.”
Ararat Mirzoyan confirmed that an agreement had been reached with the Turkish side to jointly restore the Ani bridge. Nikol Pashinyan also stated that Armenia has prepared a sketch project for the restoration of the bridge, and that this could become a symbolic step.
“Our actions have a humanitarian motive and have had one. I consider absolutely unacceptable the criticisms that are being voiced. On the other side of the door, millions of people are in need of support, and it is unacceptable that anyone could remain indifferent to that,” Pashinyan said.
