Ankara: Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday expressed optimism about achieving full normalization with Trkiye in the ‘near future.’

According to Anadolu Agency, during a joint committee hearing in parliament, Mirzoyan informed lawmakers about the ongoing dialogue between Armenia and Trkiye. He mentioned several meetings have been conducted, including one by the working group focusing on reopening the Kars-Gyumri railway. Mirzoyan stated his expectation and belief that tangible progress toward full normalization of relations with Trkiye is imminent.

The minister further expressed confidence that Armenia and Trkiye will soon achieve full normalization. Mirzoyan noted that while direct trade exists in a customs sense, it still occurs through third countries geographically.

Following the Soviet Union’s collapse, Trkiye was among the first nations to recognize Armenia’s independence in September 1991. However, diplomatic ties were severed, and the border closed in 1993 after Armenia occupied Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region. Relations have been improving since the Second Karabakh War in 2020, with both countries appointing special envoys and engaging in multiple rounds of talks to advance the normalization process.