ArmInfo. Armenia is ready to normalize relations with Turkey and open borders right now. Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, the Special Representative of Armenia for the normalization of relations with Turkey, Ruben Rubinyan, stated at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.
"If Serdar agrees, we can announce it today. I hope you agree and this forum will be a historical one. In July 2022, Serdar and I announced that we would open the land border to third-country nationals, and then to diplomatic passport holders in the summer of 2023 year. Unfortunately, this has not happened yet. On the Armenian side, the entire infrastructure is ready for that," Rubinyan said.
He noted that he made such a proposal because he feels that Turkey is not ready to go further. The Armenian Vice-Speaker recalled that during the earthquake in Turkey, the borders of the two countries were open to provide and receive humanitarian assistance, and this, according to him, was an inspiring moment. "We shouldn't need tragedies to open borders, but we need open borders during times of happiness and prosperity. And I see no reason why the Armenian-Turkish border should remain closed. We must not create barriers in this process," he noted, expressing his conviction that Conditions should be ensured for the contacts of citizens of Armenia and Turkey.
Rubinyan once again noted the importance of opening the Armenian-Turkish border for citizens of third countries and holders of diplomatic passports.
In turn, Turkey's special representative for the normalization of relations with Armenia, Serdar Kilic, agreed with aforementioned, promising that this will happen soon. At the same time, he expressed the conviction that it is necessary to join efforts to neutralize existing obstacles.
"It is clear that first we will open the border for citizens of third countries, and then the process will expand for citizens of our two states. But Ruben sometimes overlooks some important points. I would like to remind you that there is air traffic between our countries, which means that there is communication and dialogue between the citizens of Armenia and Turkey. Opening the border is not the only step, there are also others from our side," the Turkish diplomat noted, also pointing out the existence of quite serious trade relations between Armenia and Turkey.
The diplomat assured that the border will open when the time comes. "As you remember, we met with you in Moscow, Ruben, and there were no preconditions for this. I am ready to come to Yerevan often, and you, in turn, come to Ankara. But a meeting may be held in Ankara or Yerevan without any preconditions. Lack of meetings and prerequisites cause problems," he added.
Reacting to Kilic's staements, Rubinyan suggested that there was some kind of misunderstanding, since Yerevan did not put forward any preconditions for normalizing relations with Ankara or holding meetings.