A NEW STAGE IN THE TÜRKİYE-ARMENIA NORMALIZATION PROCESS: THE YEREVAN MEETING
Commentary No : 2025 / 46
16.10.2025
2 min read

This is the English translation of a Turkish language article that was originally published by AVİM on 18 September 2025.

 

As part of the ongoing process aimed at normalizing Türkiye-Armenia relations, Türkiye’s special representative Ambassador Serdar Kılıç and Armenia’s special representative and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan came together in Yerevan on 12 September 2025 for their sixth meeting.[1] This recent contact between the two sides is striking not only because it keeps diplomatic dialogue going without interruption, but also because it shows that both the symbolic and technical aspects of the process are being reinforced.

Started in 2021 to normalize relations between the two countries, the process became an important step in rebuilding direct dialogue between the parties. While the first meetings focused on building mutual trust and technical issues, later meetings began to address more concrete topics such as border crossings, transportation lines, and economic cooperation.

At the meeting held on 12 September, the special representatives confirmed the mutual understanding reached in their previous meetings and agreed to speed up the arrangements on border crossings. As part of technical cooperation, they decided to carry out the necessary work for the rehabilitation of the Kars-Gyumri railway line and the electricity interconnector. They also discussed issues such as the restoration of the Ani Bridge and academic exchanges. An agreement was also reached to move toward increasing air transport and the number of flights.[2] The parties’ confirmation of their commitment to continue the process without preconditions and the decision to hold talks in Yerevan after Ankara underscore the importance attached to diplomatic equality between the two sides.

While the Kılıç-Rubinyan meeting at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued in a constructive atmosphere regarding the normalization process, it was also noteworthy that members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) held a protest near the government building.[3] The fact that the demonstrators were a small group with a known radical background can be seen as a sign that the process has been largely accepted by the Armenian public.

In conclusion, the steady progress of the meetings and the opening of the way for concrete developments are encouraging. The parties’ continued determination to carry out the process without preconditions shows the presence of a positive ground for regional peace and cooperation.

 


[1] “Serdar Kılıç Ermenistan’a Geldi: Margara Sınır Kapısında Ruben Rubinyan Karşıladı”, ArmenPress, 12 Eylül 2025, https://armenpress.am/tr/article/1229469

[2] “Rubinyan ve Kılıç Hangi Anlaşmalara Vardı?”, Ermeni Haber Ajansı, 12 Eylül 2025, https://www.ermenihaber.am/tr/news/2025/09/12/Ermen%C4%B1stan-T%C3%BCrkiye/315111

[3] Arshaluys Barseghyan, “Armenian and Turkish Special Envoys Hold Talks in Yerevan”, Mirror Spectator, September 16, 2025, https://mirrorspectator.com/2025/09/16/armenian-and-turkish-special-envoys-hold-talks-in-yerevan/.


© 2009-2025 Center for Eurasian Studies (AVİM) All Rights Reserved

 




No comments yet.