Message from Yerevan on border, condition from Ankara: What is happening between Baku and Türkiye?

In recent days, notable activity has been observed in efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Türkiye. On August 30, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visited the “Margara” border checkpoint located on the border with Türkiye, and the announcement that the facility had been brought to full operational readiness has once again made the opening of the borders a key issue on the regional agenda.

But can Ankara take such a step before a peace agreement is signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia? How will this process affect the strategic relations between the two brotherly countries?

Speaking to TodayPress TV on the matter, Member of Parliament Aydin Mirzazada said that despite Yerevan’s unilateral statements, Ankara’s official position remains unchanged.

The MP explained Türkiye’s main conditions and the unwavering solidarity between Baku and Ankara as follows:

“Armenia may issue any statements it wishes regarding the restoration of relations with Türkiye and the opening of the border crossing. However, officials of our brotherly Türkiye have repeatedly stated that the full restoration of Türkiye’s relations with Armenia will be possible after the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In other words, Armenia must amend its Constitution, sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan and normalize its relations. In parallel and at the same time, relations with Türkiye can also be restored.”

The MP also emphasized that Yerevan has begun to understand the new geostrategic realities in the region:

“What is clear today is that certain circles in Armenia have begun to understand that Armenia’s future depends on normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. They understand that access to the outside world passes precisely through these two countries, through establishing trade and economic relations with them. This means enabling Armenia to stand on its feet, develop its economy and ensure the well-being of its people. In other words, relations with neighboring Azerbaijan and Türkiye can be built not through the language of war, but through the language of peace.”

The parliamentarian concluded by emphasizing the principle of unwavering alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye:

“The statements made by our brothers regarding relations with Armenia remain in force. At the same time, Azerbaijan has always stood by Türkiye on issues of interest to Türkiye. We are one nation, two states.”

It should be noted that the land border between Türkiye and Armenia is approximately 311 kilometers long. Following tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, this border has been officially closed since 1993.

Turkan Iskandarli