Armenian FM: “Armenia expects the dialogue with Turkey to result in the opening of the border”

| News, Armenia

Armenia expects the dialogue with Turkey to result in the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the border between the two countries, according to Vahan Hunanyan, a spokesperson for the Armenian Foreign Ministry. The first meeting of Armenian and Turkish special envoys, appointed by their governments to negotiate normalisation of relations, is scheduled for January 14 in Moscow.

Hunanyan stated in an interview that the Armenian side believes the Turkish administration shares the Armenian position of initiating the talks without preconditions.

Armenia's expectations from the talks with Turkey, according to the official, are virtually the same as they were in the early 1990s.

"We anticipate diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey to be established as a consequence of the process, as well as the reopening of the border between the two countries, which Turkey unilaterally closed in the early 1990s," Hunanyan added.

He also pointed out that the Republic of Armenia has always said that it is willing to normalise relations with Turkey without restrictions.

"In this regard, I must state that Armenia's position has not changed, and the same position is reflected in the Armenian government's plan of actions for 2021-2026," Hunanyan said, noting that in meetings with international partners, Yerevan has repeatedly stressed the importance of beginning dialogue without preconditions.

"The Turkish administration, in our opinion, supports our policy of beginning a discussion without preconditions," he added.

Regarding the first meeting of special envoys, Hunanyan stated that it is unrealistic to anticipate tangible outcomes from only one meeting, but the process will begin.

Serdar Kılıç, Turkey's former ambassador to the United States, is the country's special envoy. Ruben Rubinyan, the deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament, is his counterpart.

 

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