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Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Yerevan and Ankara have established an "excellent dialogue" and created multiple opportunities for cooperation as contacts between the two countries intensified.
Speaking at the "Yerevan Dialogue 2026" forum in Armenia’s capital on Wednesday, Mirzoyan noted that both sides had demonstrated political will toward establishing diplomatic relations and reopening the border.
He added that the current level of dialogue between Türkiye and Armenia has reached a stage capable of producing "positive results."
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan stated that important progress has already been achieved in the normalization process, while the ultimate goal remains the full opening of borders and establishment of diplomatic relations.
"We took very important steps in the normalization process regarding direct flights between Yerevan and Istanbul and the resumption of cargo transportation between the two countries," Kostanyan noted.
He also said coordination continues regarding the Alican-Margara border gate, adding that infrastructure preparations have largely been completed.
"Considering the global situation and developments in the Middle East, we believe there is currently a competitive advantage that should be evaluated through communication and connectivity networks involving South Caucasus countries and Türkiye," Kostanyan remarked.
"I believe there is a general desire within Armenian society to normalize relations with Türkiye, and this is also the policy of the current government."
Türkiye’s Special Representative for Armenia Normalization, retired ambassador Serdar Kilic, said that the border has "almost reached the point of being ready to open," although several technical and bureaucratic procedures still need to be completed.
Speaking to Turkish journalists in Yerevan, Kilic described Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz’s recent visit to Armenia as a turning point in bilateral relations, noting that it marked the first visit at that level in many years.
Kilic also highlighted the signing of a protocol on restoring the historic Ani Bridge, located on the historic Silk Road between the two countries, in the presence of Yilmaz and Pashinyan.
He said Turkish Airlines began daily flights to Yerevan on March 11 and would increase the number of flights from May 15, while Pegasus Airlines also operates routes between the two countries.
He also referred to mutual scholarship programs for university students and visa facilitation measures for diplomatic and special passport holders as additional steps supporting normalization.
Despite progress, Kilic cautioned that technical preparations such as fiber-optic infrastructure, customs staffing and security arrangements still need to be finalized before the border could formally reopen.
"You cannot simply announce tomorrow morning that the border is open and start allowing people through immediately," he said, emphasizing that the remaining infrastructure and administrative work has to be completed first.
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