Mirzoyan says Armenia–Turkey border could reopen at any moment

YEREVAN — Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on November 5 that normalization talks with Turkey have progressed sufficiently for the two countries to reopen their shared border and establish diplomatic relations at any moment.

Speaking during parliamentary discussions on Armenia’s 2027 state budget, Mirzoyan described the bilateral dialogue as active and productive, citing growing cooperation in education, trade and infrastructure.

He highlighted joint efforts to restore the historic Ani Bridge, scholarship initiatives and business forums bringing together Armenian and Turkish entrepreneurs.

Following a forum held in Kars, another Armenian–Turkish business gathering is expected to take place in Armenia in early 2027.

Mirzoyan also noted that trade between the two countries is now recorded directly for customs purposes, although goods continue to move through Georgia because the land border remains closed.

Turkey unilaterally closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Despite several rounds of normalization talks, a 2022 agreement to reopen the border for third-country nationals has not been fully implemented.

Ankara has historically linked normalization with Armenia to developments in the Armenian–Azerbaijani peace process.

Although Mirzoyan expressed optimism about imminent progress, no definitive agreement or reopening date has been announced.