Armenia awaiting comprehensive normalization of relations with Turkiye

ArmInfo. The Turkish NTV  channel published a report with the participation of the Special  Representative of Armenia for the Normalization of Armenian-Turkish  Relations, Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of  Armenia Ruben Rubinyan.

As reported by the Ermenhaber website, Rubinyan noted that Armenia is  fully prepared to normalize relations with Turkey.

"Armenia's approach has not changed since the beginning of the  reconciliation process. We expect a full normalization of relations  with Turkey, which includes the normalization of diplomatic relations  and the unblocking of Armenia's land border," Rubinyan emphasized.

Speaking about the normalization process itself, the Armenian Special  Representative once again emphasized that Armenia is ready to  normalize relations without any preconditions.

"Armenia is ready for a full settlement yesterday, today and  tomorrow, and if Turkey has the same political will, then all this  will be implemented very quickly," the Vice-Speaker said.

Rubinyan stressed that Armenia is waiting for Turkey to take the  first step towards fully opening the border. In this context, he  recalled that the Margara checkpoint on the Armenian side has been  completely repaired and brought into working order, and the same is  expected from the Turkish partners. The vice speaker noted that an  agreement had also been reached earlier on the repair or  reconstruction of the bridge on the border.

"The most important agreement to date is the opening of the border  for third-country nationals and holders of diplomatic passports,  which the parties agreed on in 2022," Rubinyan concluded.

There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey. Ankara  links this issue to the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani  relations. Since 1993, the border between Armenia and Turkey has been  closed at the initiative of Ankara. In December 2021, both countries  appointed their special representatives for the normalization of  Armenian-Turkish relations - Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of  the Republic of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan and experienced diplomat,  former Turkish Ambassador to the United States Serdar Kilic