Turkish VP: Regional stability hinges on Armenia-Azerbaijan peace progress

(Horizon Media) – Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz has signalled a new phase in the normalization of relations with Armenia, highlighting technical preparations for the reopening of land borders and the development of a “simplified customs corridor.”

Speaking to Azerbaijani media, Yılmaz painted a picture of a region on the cusp of connectivity, citing the restoration of railway links, increased flights, and the planned repair of the historic Ani Bridge as milestones of “mutual trust.” However, the Vice President’s remarks also underscored a long-standing geopolitical reality: Ankara’s engagement with Yerevan remains tethered to the progress of the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process.

While the rhetoric from Ankara emphasizes infrastructure and logistical “acceleration,” the framing of these steps as contingent on the “stronger ties” between Baku and Yerevan suggests that the border remains as much a diplomatic lever as a physical barrier.

Yılmaz noted that the “positive change” in the Azerbaijani-Armenian dialogue reflects directly on Turkey’s own timeline, reinforcing the perception that Yerevan must navigate a dual-track diplomacy in which concessions to one neighbour are the prerequisite for opening with another.

For observers of the “simplified corridor” and the technical preparations, the question remains whether these incremental steps represent a true departure from the past or a carefully managed waiting game, in which the key to the border remains firmly in Ankara’s pocket.