Pashinyan, Erdogan showed “readiness to understand each other’s positions”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is pleased by the “positive dynamics” in the normalization process with Turkey and is ready for “full normalization” of relations, Vahan Kostanyan, Armenia's deputy foreign minister, has said, according to Anadolu.

The comment came after a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in New York.

“We are happy with the positive dynamics that we have on Armenia-Türkiye normalization, but we do believe that there is much more that can be done, especially when it comes to the full normalization of relations and opening of the border and the establishment of diplomatic relations,” Kostanyan said in aaconversation with Anadolu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Kostanyan described the talks between Erdogan and Pashinyan as "quite positive," with both leaders showing a "readiness to understand each other’s positions."

He noted previous agreements on issues such as the opening of the border for third-country citizens and diplomats -- an arrangement reached in July 2022 during the fourth round of normalization talks in Vienna.

“We reconfirmed, once again that Armenia’s side is ready. We did all the infrastructure and technical work preparation needed, and we are ready to proceed to realize the agreement,” said the senior diplomat.

After the meeting in New York, Erdogan noted Pashinyan's "positive approach" toward resolving long-standing issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence on Sept. 21, 1991. But in 1993, Turkey closed its border and cut ties after Armenia's occupation of Karabakh.

Following the 2020 Karabakh war – which saw Azerbaijan attacking Karabakh, killing thousands and forcibly deporting the entire Armenian population – Turkish-Armenian relations entered a new phase, and in December 2021, both countries appointed special representatives to hold talks for the normalization process.

Special representatives from Türkiye and Armenia -- Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic and Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan -- met July 30 at their shared border for the fifth round of normalization talks