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Armenian lawmaker Sargis Khandanyan said Armenia’s government and people are ready for full normalization with Türkiye, citing progress in political dialogue and engagement between the two countries.
Khandanyan, chair of Armenia’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, spoke to Anadolu Agency during the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 Forum, held in the Armenian capital under the theme “Navigating Through the Storms.”
He said the normalization process between Armenia and Türkiye, which began several years ago, has been progressing well and that important steps have been taken.
“The Armenian government and people are ready for full normalization,” Khandanyan said. “We also expect the Turkish government to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia and open the Armenian border.”
Khandanyan pointed to Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz’s visit to Armenia on May 4 and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Türkiye in June 2025, saying political dialogue and engagement between the sides have continued positively.
He also cited the signing of a protocol on the restoration of the Ani Bridge on the historic Silk Road and the launch of direct flights between Yerevan and Istanbul as important steps in the process.
Khandanyan said an agreement to open the border for third-country citizens and diplomatic passport holders had previously been discussed, but that it has not yet been implemented.
Despite this, he said the political dialogue between the two countries is moving in a positive direction.
“Because of the very good political engagement and dialogue between Armenia and Türkiye, I think both sides are ready for full normalization, meaning the opening of the border for all citizens and everyone,” he said.
Khandanyan said he expects Armenia’s current foreign policy approach to continue after the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7.
“Stability, peace and regional cooperation are what we are looking for. And by ‘we,’ I also mean the Armenian people,” he said.
“I think there will not be a major change regarding the normalization of relations with Türkiye after the elections,” he added.
Khandanyan also addressed Armenia’s foreign policy in recent years, saying the country has “very strong and increasingly deepening” relations with the European Union.
“We are trying to be more engaged with the EU. It is very important for us to have good political relations,” he said.
He said the EU has provided important support to Armenia in various reform areas and some security-related issues.
Khandanyan also said there is significant potential for economic cooperation between Armenia and the EU.
He added that he believes the Armenian people appreciate closer ties with the EU and that this also reflects a public demand.
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