Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the relations with Turkey in parliament during debates of the 2022 report of the government action plan. He said that he sees a big chance to establish normal relations with Turkey.
Pashinyan said the opportunity for doing so increased after Armenia humanely responded to the earthquake in Turkey.
“There is a big opportunity to establish normal relations between our countries”, Pashinyan said
“And this opportunity increased when we decided to respond, with the logic based on humane, good-neighborly values to the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey in the beginning of this year. And the government and public of Turkey perceived and accepted our actions as such.”
Pashinyan said they wouldn’t have made the decision to send a SAR team and humanitarian aid if not for the changed perspective of perceiving history and related issues. And Turkey wouldn’t have opened the Margara Bridge for the rescue squad and aid if it were not to believe in Armenia’s sincerity.
“And the dozens of Armenian flags flying in front of the Turkish foreign ministry during Foreign Minister Mirzoyan’s Ankara visit weren’t simply a protocol attribute, but rather a surprising realization that hope can be found in despair. The flags of Armenia and Turkey were hoisted on the ruins of our relations and the devastating earthquake. And I hope that the Armenian-Turkish border will soon really be opened and will create the foundation for the development of good-neighborly, normal relations”, PM Pashinyan said.
Pashinyan attached importance that soon the agreement on opening the border for third country citizens and diplomatic passport holders will take effect. He warned that the opening could not take place if the new perceptions and impressions gained through humanitarian and neighborly values were to get frozen, fade or lose impact on political and diplomatic decisions. "Of course, peace also depends on us and our positions, and it is my sincere desire to do everything possible to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan as soon as possible", concluded the Prime Minister.
