Armenia opens Margara checkpoint with Turkey for aid to Syria

 Armenia’s Margara border crossing with Turkey will be open from March 21 to 31 for humanitarian shipments, allowing aid to be transported to Syria via Turkish territory. The decision was made during an Armenian government meeting.

The measure aims to facilitate the swift and efficient transportation of humanitarian aid to Syria while reducing costs and transit time.

The issue of humanitarian assistance was discussed in working meetings between Armenian and Syrian authorities.

The Margara crossing was also temporarily opened in 2023 when Armenia sent humanitarian aid to Turkish regions affected by a devastating earthquake. A few days ago, Turkish journalists visiting Armenia at the government’s invitation toured the checkpoint and interviewed Armenia’s prime minister. In 2022, Yerevan and Ankara had agreed to open Margara for third-country nationals and diplomatic passport holders, but it remains non-operational for regular crossings.